• Premier League

Brooking clarifies difference between Rooney and Dalglish

ESPN staff
April 19, 2011
Kenny Dalglish has escaped FA punishment because he did not swear directly at the camera on Sunday © PA Photos
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Football Association director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking concedes the governing body may have to clarify its rules regarding the use of obscene language after Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish went unpunished on Sunday.

In the wake of the FA's decision to ban Wayne Rooney for two games for swearing into a television camera, the language employed in Premier League games has been closely scrutinised.

After Dalglish appeared to tell Arsene Wenger to "p**s off" as the two managers rowed briefly in the seconds following Sunday's dramatic 1-1 draw, it is reported that the FA was contacted by numerous Manchester United fans demanding that the Liverpool manager was also punished.

However, a statement from the governing body read: "We are quite clear that the context of the Rooney incident was wholly different to the other recent incidents cited."

Brooking, though, admits the FA may have to clarify just what constitutes a swearing offence under its rules.

"What we have to do is get all stakeholders - the Premier League, Football League, PFA [Professional Footballers' Association] and LMA [League Managers' Association] - on the same hymn sheet," Brooking said.

"I'd like to feel you can get to a stage where everyone just accepts the decision rather than muddying the waters. If anyone is still unsure why the action was taken then we should clarify it so that it's consistent.

"There has to be a clear understanding. Clarification would help us avoid a continued debate."

Brooking, speaking at the launch of the Grass Roots Football Show 2011, added: "It was totally different [from Rooney]. The reaction straight into the camera [from Rooney] was the difference.

"I can understand why the incident at the West Ham match led to action being taken but in this one I don't think there is any comparison. Wherever I've been since the West Ham-Manchester United game, I don't think I've met anyone who thought it was anything other than the right decision."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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