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England: Rooney told to see a shrink [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
London (AFP) - Wayne Rooney has been urged to see a psychologist in a bid to curb his fiery temper, which saw him red-carded in Spain for sarcastically applauding a Danish referee.
That incident came just a week after the 19-year-old threw a tantrum after being yellow-carded in England's World Cup qualifying defeat to Northern Ireland in Belfast.
English Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor believes Rooney could benefit from counselling and follow in the footsteps of Manchester City bad-boy Joey Barton, who was transformed by Tony Adams' Sporting Chance clinic.
"There is a great talent there, and you just do not want to see it wasted for the sake of poor temperament," Taylor said.
"You hope that with the advice and help from his manager and team-mates, Wayne will realise losing his temper like that is counter-productive.
"It's a matter of counting to 10 and not reacting to situations.
"There is a much broader use of counselling and psychology among sports people these days, particularly for those who find themselves in difficult situations on and off the field.
"We've found that clinics such as Sporting Chance and others can help our members."
Referee Kim Nielsen described Rooney's actions as "stupid" and believes his indiscipline could put his career in jeopardy.
"I have had verbal protests but never a gesture like that. If Rooney keeps showing referees such a lack of respect, he'll find it hard to stay on the pitch," said the Dane.
"When you are only getting mad with opponents and referees it affects your performance. That is a terrible waste of his talent."
Sports performance coach Jamil Qureshi likened Rooney to an alcoholic.
"The critical part of helping him change is to make him understand he has to take 100 percent responsibility for his actions. It is like being an alcoholic - acknowledgement is half the battle," he said.
But former England captain Terry Butcher disagreed.
"I wouldn't want to try and change Rooney a bit," he said. "He sails a bit close to the wind but a player like Rooney has to be like that. His adrenaline has to be pumping because then you get the best from him."
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