Snapper to sue Rooney for spitting on him

London, Sept 21 (ANI): English footballer Wayne Rooney has earned himself the ire of a photographer, when he spat on him for taking a picture.

Elliot Simmons, 22, was so offended by the actions of the Manchester United ace that he called him an animal and decided to sue him for it.

The police have also taken the incident seriously and ordered Rooney to apologise to the photographer before tomorrow, or else he faces being arrested.

"He is a national disgrace," News of the World quoted Simmons as saying.

"I was so disgusted by what he did to me I felt physically sick.

"It's almost worse than having a smack in the face. It was so degrading and dirty. Animals behave better than that," he added.

Simmons, who had taken the picture as Rooney, 22, left the Michelin-starred Hakazzan Chinese restaurant with wife Coleen in central London in July, spoke out about the incident

"I took just one shot when they looked in my direction. Then Rooney started shouting abuse at me telling me to 'f*** off'," he said.

"He then tried to goad me, saying, 'Why don't you just come in the restaurant?' He kept saying 'come on, come on, come inside'. But I just stood on the road and said, 'no, no, it's all right'.

"They he came out, got right in my face and told me again to 'f**k off'. To try to diffuse it, I stepped back. He went back inside.

"Then Coleen came out and called me an a***hole. She returned to the restaurant and as I turned away I heard someone spit on my back.

"I actually felt it land on my shoulder and it sprayed on the car too.

"I turned round and saw Rooney standing there with a big grin on his face before he went back inside," he stated.

After the incident, Simmons went straight to the cops and reported to them about it.

"They took away my white T-shirt for evidence and said they were going to DNA test it.

"Police questioned Rooney and I was told he denied spitting at me. Now I want him prosecuted for common assault. I also want to sue him. What's an apology? It is not good enough," he added.

There were no comments from Rooney's spokesman, and a Met police spokesman said: "Inquiries are continuing." (ANI)