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Rooneys face £4.3m legal action | Rooneys face £4.3m legal action |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and his wife, Coleen, are being sued alongside their agent for £4.3m in a row with a sports management firm. | Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and his wife, Coleen, are being sued alongside their agent for £4.3m in a row with a sports management firm. |
The firm, Proactive, was involved in negotiating contracts for the couple and is still owed commission, Manchester Mercantile Court heard. | |
The deals were done through agent Paul Stretford, who quit Proactive in 2008, taking the Rooneys with him. | The deals were done through agent Paul Stretford, who quit Proactive in 2008, taking the Rooneys with him. |
The court was told he was exploiting the couple to further the dispute. | The court was told he was exploiting the couple to further the dispute. |
The sports management company received commission of up to 20% on multi-million pound deals for the Rooneys to endorse firms such as Nike and Coca-Cola. | The sports management company received commission of up to 20% on multi-million pound deals for the Rooneys to endorse firms such as Nike and Coca-Cola. |
But when Mr Stretford left in acrimony in October 2008 he refused to authorise further commission, now worth £4.3 million, the court heard. | But when Mr Stretford left in acrimony in October 2008 he refused to authorise further commission, now worth £4.3 million, the court heard. |
Mr Stretford first signed Rooney when the footballer was a teenager playing for Everton. | Mr Stretford first signed Rooney when the footballer was a teenager playing for Everton. |
Agent 'successful' | Agent 'successful' |
Ian Mill QC, acting for Proactive, opened the case against the Rooneys and Mr Stretford at the court on Tuesday. | Ian Mill QC, acting for Proactive, opened the case against the Rooneys and Mr Stretford at the court on Tuesday. |
"If one believes the quotes attributed in the press, it appears Mr and Mrs Rooney regard these charges against them as exploitative and financially-driven - these are the quotations that appear in a number of national newspapers," he said. | "If one believes the quotes attributed in the press, it appears Mr and Mrs Rooney regard these charges against them as exploitative and financially-driven - these are the quotations that appear in a number of national newspapers," he said. |
"If by financially-driven they mean the claimant wishes to recover the substantial sums due to it, I would respectfully agree, but it is hardly a ground for complaint or for criticism." | "If by financially-driven they mean the claimant wishes to recover the substantial sums due to it, I would respectfully agree, but it is hardly a ground for complaint or for criticism." |
Mr Mill said that from July 2002, Paul Stretford, through Proactive, had acted for Wayne Rooney "with great success", looking after transfer dealings and his "off-field" business interests. | Mr Mill said that from July 2002, Paul Stretford, through Proactive, had acted for Wayne Rooney "with great success", looking after transfer dealings and his "off-field" business interests. |
In short, Proactive simply seeks the monies to which it is contractually entitled Ian Mill QC, acting for Proactive | In short, Proactive simply seeks the monies to which it is contractually entitled Ian Mill QC, acting for Proactive |
He also represented Coleen Rooney in her television, magazine and sponsorship deals, the QC added. | He also represented Coleen Rooney in her television, magazine and sponsorship deals, the QC added. |
But the relationship between Proactive and Mr Stretford broke down over his involvement in a trial at Warrington Crown Court in October 2004. | But the relationship between Proactive and Mr Stretford broke down over his involvement in a trial at Warrington Crown Court in October 2004. |
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the case because they could "not rely" on him as a witness, Mr Mill said. | The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the case because they could "not rely" on him as a witness, Mr Mill said. |
Disciplinary hearings were then brought against Mr Stretford by the Football Association (FA) over breaches of agents rules, which led to a nine-month ban beginning in May 2009. | Disciplinary hearings were then brought against Mr Stretford by the Football Association (FA) over breaches of agents rules, which led to a nine-month ban beginning in May 2009. |
He left Proactive after the board refused to back financially Mr Stretford's appeal against the FA. | He left Proactive after the board refused to back financially Mr Stretford's appeal against the FA. |
Proactive claims he was dismissed for gross misconduct; Mr Stretford maintains he terminated his own contract, the court heard. | Proactive claims he was dismissed for gross misconduct; Mr Stretford maintains he terminated his own contract, the court heard. |
Since 8 October 2008, Mr Stretford has refused to authorise payments of commission said to be due to Proactive from contracts signed by the Rooneys while with the company, Mr Mill said. | Since 8 October 2008, Mr Stretford has refused to authorise payments of commission said to be due to Proactive from contracts signed by the Rooneys while with the company, Mr Mill said. |
Proactive claims this amounts to £4.3m in the last 15 months. | Proactive claims this amounts to £4.3m in the last 15 months. |
"Where, I ask rhetorically, is the exploitation?" Mr Mill added. | "Where, I ask rhetorically, is the exploitation?" Mr Mill added. |
"I would respectfully suggest if there is any exploitation it's the exploitation of the Rooneys by Mr Stretford who has used them to further his dispute with Proactive. | "I would respectfully suggest if there is any exploitation it's the exploitation of the Rooneys by Mr Stretford who has used them to further his dispute with Proactive. |
"In short, Proactive simply seeks the monies to which it is contractually entitled." | "In short, Proactive simply seeks the monies to which it is contractually entitled." |
The case is scheduled to last three weeks, with the Rooneys expected to give evidence next week. | The case is scheduled to last three weeks, with the Rooneys expected to give evidence next week. |