Traffic wardens in leafy Wilmslow came very close to issuing a red card on Tuesday as former footballer Wayne Rooney parked his car in a disabled driver zone. 

The retired Manchester United and England ace committed the parking equivalent of a sending off offence while out in suburban Cheshire. 

Rooney, 39 – recently announced as a new Match Of The Day pundit – was seen pulling up outside a local barber shop in his Audi 4×4. 

But the luxury vehicle stood out for all the wrong reasons, with the ex-footballer parking in a space typically reserved for disabled drivers. 

The distinctive disabled parking sign was within touching distance of Rooney’s fender as he exited the vehicle and made his way across the car park.

Fortunately, the 120 cap former England international narrowly missed a parking ticket – not that he would have too much trouble paying it off after landing a lucrative new role with the BBC. 

Traffic wardens in leafy Wilmslow came very close to issuing a red card on Tuesday as former footballer Wayne Rooney parked his car in a disabled driver zone

The retired Manchester United and England ace committed the parking equivalent of a sending off offence while out in suburban Cheshire

The distinctive disabled parking sign was within touching distance of Rooney’s fender

In Wilmslow, illegally parking in a disabled bay without a valid Blue Badge will likely result in a fine of £70, with the charge rising to £105 if left unpaid for longer than 28 days. 

But it’s a drop in the ocean for Rooney, who lives in a sprawling Cheshire mansion with wife Coleen and their four children and will earn a reported £800,000 over two years as a Match Of The Day pundit.

The former footballer has been out of management since leaving Plymouth Argyle by mutual consent on New Year’s Eve following a challenging seven-month spell in charge. 

It was his fourth managerial role in as many years, after equally unsuccessful stints with Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City.

Rooney has made no secret of his enjoyment of punditry since stepping back from coaching, appearing on Amazon Prime Video for Champions League coverage and joining the BBC as a guest on Match of the Day.

Speaking to talkSPORT in June, he appeared to hint that his immediate future would involve more media work than management.

He told the radio station: ‘Obviously just doing some TV work at the minute, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m enjoying it. So, that’s where I’ll be.’

According to The Sun, Rooney will earn £800,000 over two years with the BBC and is set to be unveiled later this month after impressing during his guest appearances.

The former Manchester United and England striker’s Audi 4×4 stood out for all the wrong reasons during his latest appearance in Cheshire 

Rooney will reportedly earn £800,000 over two years with the BBC and is set to be unveiled later this month after impressing during his guest appearances

Rooney committed the parking equivalent of a sending off offence while out in suburban Cheshire

The deal reportedly also includes a role in the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, plus the option of a further two-year extension.

Rooney’s imminent arrival comes as Match of the Day moves into a new era following Gary Lineker’s departure, with the BBC looking to refresh its punditry team alongside presenters Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.

Insiders are said to have described Rooney as ‘warm, witty and forensically knowledgeable’, with his insight seen as a valuable addition as the show adapts in the streaming age.

Rooney’s move also comes as wife Coleen continues to expand her own media profile, having reportedly signed a £10million deal with Disney for a family documentary featuring the couple and their four sons.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.  

Insiders are said to have described Rooney as ‘warm, witty and forensically knowledgeable’, with his insight seen as a valuable addition as Match Of The Day adapts in the streaming age