Capello jokes with 'crazy' Rooney

England boss keen to curb striker's explosive temper

Last updated: 26th March 2009  

Capello jokes with 'crazy' Rooney

Capello: Rooney joke

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Fabio Capello has joked about Wayne Rooney's red card at Fulham in a bid to curb the England striker's explosive temper.

The Manchester United forward was dismissed in the closing stages of the shock 2-0 defeat at Craven Cottage on Saturday after receiving a second yellow card for hurling the ball away.

Strict disciplinarian Capello dubbed Rooney a "crazy man" in training on Tuesday, questioning the former Everton player's actions as he left the field and threw a punch at the corner flag.

Capello is hoping his light-hearted reference in front of the entire squad will remove any lingering tension ahead of Saturday's Wembley friendly with Slovakia and Wednesday's home World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Rooney's temper has let him down in the past, most notably in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal when he saw red after clashing with Ricardo Carvalho, and the England boss is keen to avoid a repeat.

Capello knows the fiery striker is key to England's World Cup qualification bid and also to their hopes of securing success at South Africa in 2010, and does not want to lose his services to unnecessary suspensions.