Rooney barred from discussing his religious beliefs by FA official

A Football Association official stopped England ace striker Wayne Rooney from discussing his religious beliefs at the 2010 World Cup.

Offering an insight into his Catholic faith, Rooney explained why he wears a prominent cross and rosary beads around his neck when he's not playing.

"I've been wearing them for about four years now and you don't usually watch training (to see them.) I obviously can't wear them in games. It's my religion," he said.

But Mark Whittle, the FA's head of media relations, interrupted Rooney in the off-camera briefing by saying: "We don't do religion."

Talking on football matters, Rooney rejected suggestions emanating from the American camp that England had been paralysed by fear in their opening match, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"What did they have? Two or three shots on goal from distance and one good chance? I don't think there was any fear for them. We didn't get the win but we took the game to them and certainly didn't play with fear."

"We started the game really well and overall I think we deserved to win. Unfortunately we didn't but now we look forward to the second game on Friday (against Algeria) and I'm sure we will take three points," he added.