Wayne Rooney reveals England team-mate didn't speak to him for over six months

Wayne Rooney has revealed that Sol Campbell refused to speak to him for over six months - ignoring him on England duty - as the Arsenal star felt the Manchester United icon dived for an infamous penalty.

In October 2004 the Red Devils ended the Gunners' lengthy unbeaten run, which stood at 49 games. A 2-0 win at Old Trafford left a sour taste for those associated with Arsenal, none more so than Campbell, who gave away the penalty for the opening goal.

It was immediately evident that Campbell was stunned by the decision and felt Rooney simulated to get his team the spot kick. When the two were expected to put differences aside on international duty the centre-half refused to do so.

The Arsenal defender didn't want to engage with Rooney as the bad blood went on for months, leading to some moments of silence when the pair were with the Three Lions. The former United man though insists there was contact and he didn't dive.

He said on The Wayne Rooney Show: "It was a big game for Arsenal. If they had won it, it was 50 games unbeaten for them. We beat them 2-0 and Campbell did not speak to me for over six months. We met up [during international duty] and Sol won't speak to me. Sometimes, I was with Sol and I'd say to him: 'Come on man, we are playing for England here'. But he wouldn't speak to me because he felt I dived. He left his leg out and I think there was a small contact."

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Campbell certainly held onto the incident and when he acknowledged Rooney's brilliance in 2017 - some 13 years after the incident - he still accused him of diving. "What a career Wayne Rooney. A fantastic servant for England. Only one dive that annoyed me against Man Utd 49th game."

Theirry Henry is another Arsenal icon to come out over the years and call out Rooney for his dive, which ended his side's historic run. He refused to entertain any theory other than the United legend conning the ref.

He said: "I think they were superior on the day, but it was still 0-0 and we would take a 0-0. But Rooney dived. I don't care however people say whatever, he did dive and that's how they got the penalty. When you see the replay you clearly see Sol Campbell doesn't extend his leg, he pulls it back, and Rooney was clever to get that penalty."

Campbell would play for England for another three years after his incident with Rooney before eventually retiring in 2007. Neither Arsenal nor United would claim the title the year the Invincible's had their run ended with Chelsea claiming the title and the Gunners winning the battle for second.

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