Rooney turns defender for his court debut

AS a footballer he is more renowned for side-stepping tackles and avoiding the pressure of defenders.

But in court England striker Wayne Rooney faced pressure of a different kind as he was cross examined over his finances and the role played by the man who signed him up as an agent.

Rooney is being sued for 4.3m by sports management company Proactive in lost commission since the firing of Paul Stretford, the man who added Rooney to his firm's client list in 2002 when the striker was just 17. Mr Stretford departed the firm following charges of misconduct in 2008 and was banned from acting as an agent by the Football Association.

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However he took Rooney, and his wife Coleen with him, and today continues to handle the star's career both on and off the field, acting as Rooney's manager rather than agent.

In court Rooney remained fiercely loyal to Mr Stretford, acknowledging that he had made him rich.

He agreed that he had sided with Mr Stretford after his dismissed from Proactive and that he felt Mr Stretford should get the 4.3m in commission payments. Asked about the money he paid, Rooney replied: "It was for everyday life. Obviously there's a lot of stuff that needs to be done and it would be more or less impossible for me and my wife to do that."

Rooney, 24, gave single word answers of "yes" to initial questions from Ian Mill QC, of Harrogate law firm McCormicks who are acting for Proactive.