Wayne Rooney was handcuffed by armed police and dumped in a cell for four hours to sober up after trying to exit an airport arrivals hall ...
Wayne Rooney was handcuffed by armed police and dumped in a cell for four hours to sober up after trying to exit an airport arrivals hall through a staff door, MailOnline can reveal.
The former England captain set off an alarm as he opened the door and then swore at police at Washington's Dulles Airport who failed to recognise him.
Rooney, 33, who plays for DC United in the US, drank three mixed cocktails and consumed a sleeping pill on his private jet flight from Riyadh where he had carried out some paid promotional work for Formula E Racing.
After he exited the plane, he triggered an alarm inside the airport building when he attempted to open a secure door which is meant for officials only.
An armed police officer was on the scene immediately and the player was arrested for using foul language and being intoxicated.
A police source said: 'He was very rude when he was asked why he had tried to go through a door which is only to be used by security personnel.
'He had clearly taken liquor and was not in a fit state to be released. He was by himself and police felt as he was swearing and drunk.
The former England captain posted a photo on his Instagram during the out-bound private jet flight to Saudi Arabia in December
'He needed to be taken in until he sobered up. He was detained until the blood alcohol level was at an acceptable level and was released after four hours.'
Rooney was charged with public intosication and released on a personal recognisance bond - and court proceedings had been booked for January 24.
But they were dropped when the striker, who earns $2.78million (£2.18million) a year, paid a $25 (£19.65) fine three days ago - and authorites say the matter is now closed.
Under Virginian law, 'profane swearing and intoxication in public' is seen as a 'class four misdemeanour' - a minor crime, punishable in DC by a fine of up to $250 (£196).
The other two offences under the same category are 'possession of a schedule VI controlled substance (prescription drug)' and 'unauthorized use of public property'.
Rooney, who is currently serving a two-year drink-drive ban in the UK, had been on a short trip to Saudi Arabia before the latest drama unfolded.
Officers approached the 33-year-old when he appeared intoxicated, arresting him, taking his mugshot and throwing him in the cells 'until he sobered up'. His charge sheet is pictured
The striker posted social media pictures of himself at the Riyadh Formula E championship race in the days before the incident.
While flying back to Washington, he took sleeping pills and consumed alcohol, his spokesman said, making him 'disorientated' upon arrival.
'During the flight Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disorientated on arrival,' he said.
'He was approached by police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanour charge.
'He received a statutory automatic fine and was released shortly afterwards at the airport. The matter is now at an end.
'Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved.'
A Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesman said: 'He was booked into the Loudoun County Adult Detention Centre on December 16 2018, on a charge of public intoxication stemming from an arrest by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police.
'He was later released on a personal recognisance bond.'
A mugshot released by police showed Rooney following his arrest in what appeared to be prison issue clothing.
Rooney's latest drinking offence is likely to come under close scrutiny by his present US club officials at Washington based MLS club DC United, with whom he signed a deal last year for a reported £300,000-a-week. A spokesman said the matter is being 'dealt with internally'.
The former Manchester United star has already been warned that a previous run in with police at Wilmslow, Cheshire, which led to a drink-drive conviction in September 2017, had been closely studied by US immigration officials before he was granted a work visa.
Strict US visa regulations mean foreigners with criminal convictions can be refused entry to the county and denied a visa.
America's major sporting outfits demand their stars behave impeccably and avoid running into trouble through drinking or drugs.
The footballer, who lives with wife Coleen and their four sons in the upmarket suburb of Bethesda, Maryland, is at his Cheshire mansion enjoying an extended Christmas break before beginning training with his team mates in a fortnight.
The US soccer season kicks-off in March with Rooney the star player of the team.
England's all-time top scorer joined MLS in a deal reportedly worth more than $12million (£9.4million) - making him the highest paid player in DC United's history.
The club is owned by Jason Levien, who is also co-owner of Premier league club Swansea City.
Rooney is currently serving a two-year drink-driving ban and has completed 100 hours of community service which was part of his punishment.
In September 2017 he admitted drink-driving on a night out when he was caught driving a woman's Volkswagen Beetle when nearly three times the legal limit.
Rooney last played for DC United on November 2, when his side were knocked out of the MLS Cup.
The former Manchester United and Everton striker missed a penalty during the 3-2 defeat following extra time.
Rooney, England's former captain and all-time top scorer, joined the Major League Soccer in a deal that was reportedly worth more than $12million (£9.4million) - making him the highest paid player in DC United's history.
He was the latest addition to an elite list of former England captains to hop across the Atlantic, following David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.
A young Rooney was a teenage prodigy at Everton and made his debut for the club in 2002 aged 16.
Rooney joined Manchester United for £25m in 2004 and stayed there for 13 seasons - winning five Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, three League Cups and becoming the club's all-time leading scorer with 253 goals.
The 2019 MLS season is due to start in March. A DC United spokesman said: 'We are aware of the news reports indicating that Wayne Rooney was arrested in December.
'We understand the media's interest in this matter but we believe this is a private matter for Wayne that DC United will handle internally.'
* Did you witness the incident on December 16? Email: tips@mailonline.com *
Prostitute scandals and booze-fuelled court-cases: How off-pitch antics have landed Wayne Rooney in hot water
By Brendan McFadden
In 2004 after Wayne Rooney, then aged 18, moved to Manchester United, national newspapers reported that a teenage Rooney had paid £140 for sex with prostitute Charlotte Glover, 21.
It was also claimed in 2004 that at a brothel in Liverpool he slept with Gina McCarrick, then 37, and grandmother Patricia Tierney, then 48, who wore a rubber catsuit and was known as the 'Auld Slapper'.
Mrs Tierney later denied these claims, but Rooney did admit to sleeping with unnamed prostitutes at the brothel.
In September 2006, former Everton manager David Moyes sued Rooney for libel over claims in Rooney's autobiography which accused the manager of leaking Rooney's reasons for leaving the club to the press. A settlement was reached with Rooney conceding he hadn't leaked these details and he apologised for any distress and embarrassment caused and paid 'substantial' damages and legal costs.
Former prostitute Helen Wood, 30, claimed in 2012 that she had a threesome with Rooney and her friend Jenny Thompson, while the striker's wife Coleen was pregnant with their first son Kai.
Despite the scandal putting their marriage under intense strain, Mrs Rooney eventually forgave the footballer.
In 2017, Rooney was banned from driving for two years and given 100 hours' community service.
The former England captain was stopped by police while driving 29-year-old party girl Laura Simpson home from a night out in her Volkswagen Beetle in Wilmslow, Cheshire, at 2am on September 1.
Rooney was almost three times the legal limit. His breath reading was 104mg per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 35mg.
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