Former England captain Wayne Rooney has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following a horrifying tackle on 16-year-old Arsenal academy prospect Max Dowman during Sunday's Soccer Aid charity match.
The incident, which occurred in the first half at Stamford Bridge, saw Rooney launch into a dangerously high, studs-up challenge that sent the teenager crashing to the turf. The reckless lunge immediately drew gasps from the crowd and condemnation from those watching on.
Outrage Erupts on Social Media
Fans were quick to voice their fury on platform X (formerly Twitter), with many labelling the tackle from the 38-year-old Derby County manager as "disgraceful" and "a shocker". One user succinctly captured the mood, writing: "Rooney should be ashamed of himself. That's a horrendous tackle on a kid."
Another added: "What on earth was Wayne Rooney thinking? A studs-up challenge like that in a charity game is utterly pathetic." The consensus was clear: a competitive, full-blooded match is one thing, but a charity event designed for goodwill is entirely another.
A Glimmer of Sportsmanship
In a small act of redemption, Rooney was seen checking on the young midfielder's wellbeing immediately after the foul was committed. Dowman, showing immense professionalism for his age, managed to continue playing after receiving treatment from the medical staff on the pitch.
Despite this, the damage to Rooney's reputation was already done. The visual of a footballing icon cynically bringing down a promising youngster in a game for UNICEF has proven deeply damaging.
A Night of Contrasting Fortunes
The match itself was won 6-3 by the World XI, featuring celebrities and former pros, against Rooney's England side. The result, however, was entirely overshadowed by the controversial tackle.
For Max Dowman, the evening was a bittersweet mix of a dream come true and a nightmare scenario. Facing a legend like Rooney on the pitch is a memory, but for all the wrong reasons.
