D.C United have been fined $25,000 for failing to comply with Major League Soccer's diverse hiring policy when appointing Wayne Rooney, the league has confirmed.
The former England, Everton and Manchester United striker returned to the Washington-based club in July, just weeks after resigning from his role as manager of Derby County after the Rams' relegation to League One.
However, a review from MLS has concluded that D.C United did not sufficiently follow the league's diversity hiring procedure prior to appointing Rooney. The league's legislation states that the final pool of candidates must include at least two individuals from an underrepresented group, where at least one is black or African American.