By IANS,
London : England manager Fabio Capello insists Wayne Rooney is not distracted by his father’s arrest and is focussed on giving his best for the crucial Euro 2012 qualifier.
The Manchester United striker’s 48-year-old father, also Wayne, and uncle Richie, were among nine people arrested in connection with a spot-fixing probe into a Scottish Premier League game.
Rooney found about the development when the squad landed in Montenegro.
All those involved have been bailed until January and Rooney senior released a statement through his solicitor to ‘vigorously deny’ the allegations.
Capello said he spoke to Rooney and found him calm and relaxed.
“I have spoken to him and I found him relaxed and calm. He’s OK. He told me there is no problem for the game. So I’m happy. He’s in good form and he’s trained really well in the last two days, really well,” Capello was quoted as saying in Daily Mail.
England need a point against Montenegro tonight to book their place in the finals in Poland and Ukraine.
The investigation for the scandal is centred around “suspicious” bets placed on a player being sent off during a Scottish Premier League game between Motherwell and Hearts last December
The arrests follow a nine-month investigation by police in Liverpool and Scotland, carried out in co-operation with the Gambling Commission.
Police swooped on several addresses and Wayne senior was held at the home – bought by Rooney in December 2008 – he shares with wife Jeanette in the plush West Derby area of Liverpool.
Richie, who runs a boxing club, was arrested after police in two vans arrived at his home in Norris Green, Liverpool.
Rooney’s dad and uncle were both questioned for several hours.
Rooney and Capello have had similar conversations in the past. Rooney was at the centre of controversy after a scandal about affairs with prostitutes, an issue which Capello suspects may not have helped his form at the 2010 World Cup.
England captain John Terry also backed Rooney.
“Wayne’s one of the best players in the world and he’ll deal with it. He’ll go out and perform like he always does. He’s fine and focused.”