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FA considers changing free-time policy after Wayne Rooney apology

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FA chief executive Martin Glenn has announced they will review their policy around free time after Wayne Rooney was pictured socialising on the weekend

The FA is considering bringing an end to nights out during international breaks following the controversy surrounding Wayne Rooney's celebrations after Friday's win over Scotland.

English football's governing body has announced it will undertake a review of its "policy around free time" after captain Rooney was pictured at a fellow guests' wedding at the England team hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Rooney, 31, apologised "unreservedly" for what he called "inappropriate" images, taken 24 hours after England's 3-0 win over Scotland at Wembley, but FA chief executive Martin Glenn admitted he was concerned by reports that members of England's backroom staff were with Rooney on Saturday night.

Glenn told Sky Sports News HQ: "We're getting a proper investigation of what actually went on. Were there other FA staff involved? 

"Obviously it's disappointing, I think it's appropriate that he apologised because it doesn't set a great tone for the England captain, but that said I don't want to to over-dramatise it either. 

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"We're talking to people who were there on Saturday to find out if anyone from the backroom staff were involved and then we will take a view. Why on earth would you be doing that given there is an understanding, a team agreement around alcohol consumption during camp? There will be questions asked for sure."

Asked if the FA will discuss the issue with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who was reportedly furious that England backroom staff were with Rooney, Glenn replied: "No. We'll establish the facts ourselves, it's our camp."

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Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney
Image: The FA will not consult with Jose Mourinho over the incident

There were also reports that 10 players left the base to attend a night out in central London on Saturday evening, but Sky sources have told us nobody has broken any rules and nobody will be formally disciplined after events over the weekend.

Instead, FA technical director Dan Ashworth will have "sensible conversations" with the individuals involved with the aim of reviewing how downtime is structured at future international get-togethers.

The matter is also expected to be raised next week at a full debrief meeting at St George's Park, which normally happens after an international break.

Previously, players had been told that if training finishes at midday, they could take the rest of the day off and report to training at 11am the next day, although training times vary according to schedule.

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Players were not required to report back to the hotel that night, which allowed them to spend time with their families or have a night out.

Now they are expected to be told that at the end of training that they can have an evening off - but not a night out away from the camp.

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