Wayne Rooney has reportedly told police he was blackmailed after photos of him with three 21-year-old women went viral.
The former Manchester United and England skipper, who now manages Derby County, contacted police after several pictures emerged of him with the three women at a nightclub and in a hotel room.
Rooney, who already has four children with his wife Coleen, also appeared to be asleep in some of the leaked pictures while the women posed beside him.
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According to Daily Mail, Rooney’s representatives have made a complaint of blackmail to Greater Manchester Police. But there is no suggestion that the women pictured are involved in the allegations.
Rooney’s spokesperson also claimed that the investigation has been delayed as it is unclear if the hotel is under the jurisdiction of Greater Manchester Police or British Transport Police.
A statement from Greater Manchester Police said: ‘We are not aware that this has been reported to police. There is no police involvement at this time.’
A friend of the three women told The Sun: ‘They were flattered. They had a really good night and said Wayne and his friends were lovely.
‘The girls all love to party but I think this was probably the wildest night of their lives.
‘There was no sexual contact – it was just a great night. ‘Wayne was very complimentary of them, of how they looked, but nothing happened.’
Rooney is currently preparing Derby County for the new Championship campaign which begins against Huddersfield on August 7.
But he has warned Derby’s hierarchy that it will be ‘impossible’ for him to field a team as they have just nine registered senior players at the club.
‘It’s other people, which I can’t control, who need to make bigger decisions. All I can do is try to bring some dignity and pride back to this club. It is clear that has gone in the last few years and it is my job to bring that back,’ Rooney said at the weekend.
‘I need other people to do their job. It’s not ideal, it has been very difficult not knowing what my squad will be in two weeks’ time when the league starts. However we can, we need to get that sorted.
‘If I am being honest, it would be easy for a manager in my situation to walk away. It’s a challenge for me, I’m a fighter. I am grateful to Derby for giving me this opportunity and I will do everything I can to get the club through this.
‘If we can’t bring players in over the next two weeks I don’t know how we field a team. I haven’t got one centre-back signed to the club, there are two very young players in the U23s and U18s. It would be impossible for me to field a team.’
