Wayne Rooney Kicked Cardiff City Player in Butt, Avoided Red Card

Wayne Rooney is noted for his temper, or in colloquial terms, “seeing red.” It’s gotten in him trouble throughout his career, famously in the 2006 World Cup when he was sent off in the knockout rounds for stamping Portugal defender Richardo Carvalho in the groin.

That said, Rooney’s been on his better behavior in recent seasons, but his (ahem) cheeky tendencies crept back in Sunday’s match vs. Cardiff City when he kneed Cardiff’s Jordon Mutch in the butt rather blatantly from behind. Rooney avoided a red card and, yep, scored a few minutes later to give United an early 1-0 lead.

At least the officiating in the EPL has been consistent. Yesteday Everton’s Kevin Mirallas avoided a straight red card for this flying savat kick to the knee of Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.