Wayne Rooney's red mist could ruin England's chances of winning the World Cup,
according to former Premiership referee Jeff Winter.
England fans are hoping the Manchester United striker's brilliance will be the
key to a bid for glory in Germany this summer.
But Winter fears Rooney's indiscipline will undermine England's chances and
cited Saturday's Manchester derby as an example.
Rooney, frustrated at what he perceived to be a lack of protection from
referee Steve Bennett during the first half of United's 3-1 defeat, voiced his
displeasure and was booked for dissent.
"Here is a young man who could win the World Cup for us but I can tell you
now that he will not last 90 minutes because the referees (in Germany) will be
under instructions to clamp down on indiscipline for the image of the game,"
Winter told Sky Sports News.
"At half-time (in the Manchester derby) we see Wayne Rooney run half the
length of the pitch to scream and gesticulate at the referee because he thought
he should have had a penalty and then turn away and use foul and abusive
language.
"Earlier this season he was sent off for United in the Champions League and
then had the set-to while playing for England in Ireland (he was booked in
England's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in Belfast) so he clearly
hasn't learnt has he?
"And I just fear our World Cup hopes will go up in smoke because of - not
only Wayne Rooney in fairness - but also because of other (England) players who
will not accept referee's decisions.
"Also, with foreign referees, he (Rooney) may find that the yellow card he
got on Saturday turns into a red card in a World Cup match. Players have to show
more respect for the referee's decisions."
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