Rooney in spat with Blackburn defender

Sep 8, 2006, 8:31 GMT

London - Wayne Rooney's turbulent career has added another controversial episode as allegations emerged that he punched Blackburn defender Michael Gray in an altercation in a restaurant Sunday.

The England forward was in the Panacea restaurant in Manchester with his fiancee Coleen McLoughlin and three other couples when Gray, himself a former England international, approached their table.

An argument ensued, during which it is alleged that Rooney, while still seated, punched the Blackburn Rovers defender, leaving him with a black eye.

It is understood that Gray has given a full account of the incident to his club manager Mark Hughes.

'Wayne and Coleen were enjoying a night out with three other couples and were having a quiet dinner when Michael came up to their table uninvited,' said a spokesman for the striker.

'Michael then began making a number of remarks which were offensive to Coleen and Wayne's other female guests.

'Several times, Wayne asked Michael to leave. It was a brief incident and as far as Wayne is concerned, he bears no ill-feeling towards Michael,' the spokesman said.

Rooney is serving a three-match domestic ban after being sent off for elbowing an opponent in a pre-season tournament in Holland, and missed England's win over Macedonia FYR Wednesday through suspension after his red card for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho during the World Cup quarter-final.