Rooney livid over release of controversial biography

London, June 6(ANI): England striker Wayne Rooney is livid as his controversial biography, called Rooney's Gold, has been released ahead of the Three Lions's World Cup campaign in South Africa.

The book, which Rooney's representatives had tried to ban, details embarrassing material on the 24-year-old.

"He is absolutely livid. His people wanted to get the book banned, but they failed. This book was due to be published years ago, but the publishers got cold feet because they feared they could be sued because of the highly-controversial content. But it has had a re-write and a new publisher has taken it on," The Daily Star quoted a source, as saying.

"To say that Wayne is upset and angry is an understatement. He is even more furious about the timing of the release, which has come in the build-up to England's campaign. It is a distraction that he could do without but he has to try to concentrate on his football. It is very regrettable," the source added.

The 256-page hardback book is being published by Biteback, and has been written by the BBC's investigative journalist John Sweeney.

The no-holds-barred story was due to be published three years ago by Random House as their response to missing out on the official five million pound five-book deal Rooney signed with Harper Collins.

Summing up the book, the book's publishers said: "Rough, working class, surrounded by an unlikely crew - including a dodgy agent, a crooked lawyer, tarts and gangsters - Rooney's Gold looks at the -characters who have been attracted to the fabulous money Rooney gets for kicking a pig's bladder around a field." (ANI)