32 Follow The Catholic Times on twitter @CatholicTimesUK theCatholicTIMES 23.11.18 SPORT Proving once again that money talks in the beautiful game Colm Hickey This takes us to money. It could be argued that, while the FA was pre- WHAT child has not dreamed of pared to ‘use’ Rooney as a marketing representing his or her country play- gambit to increase ticket sales under ing in their back garden and com- the banner of recognising his career, Capped off career – England’s Wayne Rooney shoots towards goal menting on themselves pretending its refusal to donate any of the rev- during the International Friendly against USA at Wembley Stadium they are their hero? Something like enue to the Wayne Rooney Founda- this: “Rooney beats one, beats two, tion, suggests a reluctance to act- he shoots and scores!” And if they ively support it although allowing were pretending themselves to be some collection points from others. Wayne Rooney they would have Money dominates football and been honouring one of the greatest sometimes it may appear that what is players England had ever seen. more important is how much comes Making his international debut into the game and less about the app- aged 18 he enjoyed a glorious career ropriateness of its source. Nearly becoming England’s greatest goal 60 per cent of the clubs in England’s scorer surpassing the totals of Jimmy top two divisions will have gambling Greaves, Bobby Charlton, Alan Shear- companies on their shirts this season er and Gary Lineker winning 119 – nine of 20 in the Premier League Catholic family run Funeral caps. Towards the end of his England League, Euro or World Cup qualifier) and 17 of 24 teams in the Champi- career there was increasing discus- friendly. Perhaps because of this, onship. According to the Gambling Directors for over 230 years sion of what was Rooney’s best pos- ticket sales were sluggish. The FA Commission’s most recent statistics, ition. Although blessed with sublime then sprung a surprise and announced there are 430,000 adult problem skill and a vision that was beyond that Rooney was to be selected to gamblers in the UK, with a further many other players, he was, never- win his 120th cap. The FA defended two million at risk of developing a theless, becoming marginalised and its decision saying it was done to problem. In another alarming statistic, was not guaranteed a starting place. honour his achievements. Rooney 370,000 children aged 11 to 16 gam- Faced with the reality of the situ- was a substitute and came on in the ble each week and 25,000 of those ation that he was likely to become 57th minute, but left the squad after are classed as problem gamblers. an increasingly peripheral figure, the game and would take no part in The-then Sports Minister Tracy he did what he no doubt thought the team’s preparation for its Nations Crouch was concerned about gam- was the honourable thing and retired League fixture a few days later. bling and in particular the Fixed from international football. A new Yet Rooney’s inclusion was not Odds Betting Terminals. She thought post-Rooney age began and in the universally welcomed, with Eng- that she had a commitment from the Russia World Cup England progress- land’s record appearance-maker Peter Government to reduce these to a £2 ed to the semi-final narrowly losing Shilton saying that caps should not maximum stake. When the Govern- 2-1 to Croatia. Time to move on and be “given out like gifts”. ment announced that this would Rooney moved to America to see out Shilton, who won 125 caps, said begin in October 2019 and not April, his career playing for DC United. he was “surprised” Southgate had as she was led to believe, she resigned One might think that was that, allowed the one-off return. Rooney on a point of principle. but professional sport is different. said he would not have agreed to Finally, money continues to talk. It is where money comes in. Wayne play had it impacted the legacy of The appointment of Susanna Dinnage Rooney is a rich and generous man. others, such as by “taking the record as chief executive of the Premier Experts in Worldwide He has established his own Founda- off Shilton”. So why did Rooney League is instructive. Dinnage’s back- tion with a mission statement to take another cap? He has 119, what ground is in television. A major part Repatriation “run events that will raise vital funds could another possibly mean to him? of her remit is to ensure that the luc- to support the work of key organi- He might have felt honoured, but rative revenue from broadcasting rights sations dedicated to supporting child- he knows in his heart that he did is maintained. Meanwhile there is a 24 Hour Service ren and young people. These org- not deserve it. It cannot be that he proposal that the 20 Premier League anisations include, The NSPCC, was picked on form. If he was then clubs give £5 million to her prede- Claire House Children’s Hospice, he would be included against Croatia. cessor, Richard Scudamore, as a 020 7237 6366 or Alder Hey Children’s Charity and By playing he took the place of an- farewell gift. And where does that Manchester United Foundation”. It is other person who should have been money come from? From me and you 020 7313 6920 undoubtedly a laudable initiative and involved. Should Rooney have been and the millions of subscribers to through it children’s lives will un- recognised for his contribution to BT and Sky TV. Funny isn’t it. doubtedly improve. It is a good thing. English football? Undoubtedly! The Now here’s the rub. England were issue is less about recognising his n Dr Colm Hickey is the John Paul www.albins.co.uk to play the USA in a meaningless (in achievements and more about the II Foundation for Sport’s director the sense that it was neither a Nations way in which it was done. of education Published by Universe Media Group Limited, Guardian Print Centre, Longbridge Road, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1SN. Tel 0161 908 5301. Printed by Trinity Mirror, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EP. All rights reserved..