Former England teammates Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll have found themselves embroiled in a public dispute following conflicting accounts shared in Carroll’s new autobiography.

In his book, "Owning It," Carroll recalls a period during the 2010-2011 England national team duties when Rooney would gather fellow players in his hotel room for drinks and cigarettes. Carroll describes how Rooney’s room would be stocked with cartons of cigarettes, crates of lager, and bottles of wine, often delivered by the hotel manager. According to Carroll, these gatherings were a way for Rooney to break the monotony of team duties, though he emphasizes that the players did not become intoxicated. Carroll writes: “No one got smashed, it was just Wazza’s way of breaking the monotony with a couple of drinks.”

Rooney responded swiftly to the claims, issuing a statement denying the story and dismissing it as a fabrication. He stated that he and Carroll never socialized during their time with the national team and that he only encountered Carroll once by coincidence on holiday. Rooney expressed disappointment over what he called a false portrayal of his behavior while on England duty.

Carroll, through a spokesperson, has since stood by his version of events. Friends close to the former Liverpool striker say he was taken aback by Rooney’s denial and insists he has no motive to invent such a story. Carroll’s representatives note that the autobiography underwent thorough editorial and legal review before publication to ensure accuracy.

The disagreement between the two footballers echoes a high-profile public feud in the England football community and invites comparisons to previous well-known disputes involving players and their families. Observers suggest the ongoing back-and-forth could continue to attract media attention in the coming weeks.

At present, neither player has indicated plans to further comment beyond their initial statements. The matter remains unresolved, illustrating the challenges of memory and reputation within professional sports environments.