LINKS between an ex-Everton youth footballer and Wayne Rooney’s family were last night being examined by detectives probing an alleged betting scam.

Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings was apprehended by police in Glasgow yesterday during morning arrest warrants, along with Rooney’s father, uncle, and six other men, all from the Merseyside area. Last night, father Thomas Rooney, 46, from West Derby, and uncle Richie, 54, from Norris Green, were back with friends and relatives after being released on bail.

The pair were detained by officers in Liverpool for around nine hours, following yesterday’s 6am warrants by police investigating an alleged betting sting.

Jennings, 26, was also released from custody in Scotland, together with a 29-year-old from Bootle, a 26-year-old from Croxteth, a 22-year-old from Kirkdale, a 31-year-old from Litherland, a 68-year-old from Fazakerley, and a 36-year-old from Kirkby.

It is believed Wayne Rooney knew Jennings from their time playing in Everton’s youth side, in the 1990s. But there is no suggestion that England international Rooney has any involvement in the alleged sting.