England players banned from nights out

Wayne Rooney has apologized for drinking at a party

England players have been banned by the Football Association from having nights off while on international duty.

The FA is looking into claims several players were out until late on Saturday night after Friday’s 3-0 win over Scotland – less than three days before they drew 2-2 with Spain in a friendly.

Wayne Rooney apologised after pictures showed him at a wedding that night.

Meanwhile, the Sun claims up to 10 other players were at a nightclub drinking until 04:30 GMT on Sunday.

A statement issued on behalf of England captain Rooney, who had attended a wedding at the team’s hotel, said: “Naturally Wayne is sorry that pictures taken with fans have been published.

“Although it was a day off for the whole squad and staff, he fully recognises that the images are inappropriate for someone in his position.”

The FA, whose decision is not prompted purely by Rooney’s night out, is not expecting to discipline anyone.

England’s players, who will still have free time but not whole nights off, all reported back at 11:00 GMT on Sunday as they were instructed to, and attended training in the afternoon.

‘All the legends you admire drank like devils’

When asked about the Rooney story, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he did not see a problem.

“I feel sorry for the players,” he said. “We live on the sunny side of life, but in the end maybe it is a surprise there is a human being behind the kid.

“This generation is the most professional generation of footballers we have ever had – not only in England. All the legends you admire, they drank like devils and smoked like crazy and were still good players. Nobody does that any more.

“I’ve no idea where Wayne was but I’m pretty sure it was not that serious.”