In 2004, Wayne Rooney gave exclusive interviews to "The Sun" after UEFA Euro 2004, receiving a six-figure paycheck. After widespread backlash throughout Liverpool, "The Sun" ran a front page story apologising for "the most terrible mistake in its history", saying "We long ago apologised publicly... We gladly say sorry again today: fully, openly, honestly and without reservation". It said criticism of Rooney was wrong and co-ordinated by the "Liverpool Echo" and "Liverpool Post". The "Liverpool Echo" condemned the apology as "cynical and shameless".