Grimacing Gazza in court over ‘racist joke’
PAUL Gascoigne signed autographs as he arrived at court yesterday to face a charge of making a racist remark at a comedy show.
the former england football star, 49, denies using ‘threatening or abusive words’ towards a black security guard during his An evening With Gazza show and that the comment was ‘racially aggravated’.
Gascoigne had a grim expression as he mingled with a handful of fans outside Dudley Magistrates’ Court in the West Midlands. He was summoned for a short hearing, in which he pleaded not guilty – and will stand trial later this year.
the remark, allegedly made during his show in Wolverhampton last November, was not read out in court. but audience members claimed at the time that Gascoigne commented about his ability to see a black security guard standing in a dark corner of the stage.
A newspaper review of the show made reference to Gascoigne’s ‘joke’ and said: ‘the Civic [venue] took an audible gasp as the laughter instantly dropped from raucous to nervous.’
but a close friend of the ex-footballer denied he was racist and claimed the joke was of a ‘type he makes all the time to his friend ian Wright’, Gascoigne’s former england teammate, who is black. the friend added: ‘For the record, the security guard in question posed, smiling, with his arm around Paul afterwards.’
At least four witnesses are expected to give evidence at the trial. As he left the courtroom, Gascoigne said to reporters: ‘Cheers guys. Write the truth, write the truth.’ He paused to sign pictures, before leaving in a taxi.
Originally from Gateshead, Gascoigne, nicknamed Gazza, was a talented midfielder for Newcastle United, tottenham Hotspur and everton. since retiring in 2004, he has suffered bouts of alcoholism. earlier this year he was photographed looking dishevelled and clutching gin bottles. District Judge Graham Wilkinson granted Gascoigne, of Poole, Dorset, unconditional bail until his trial, set to start on september 19.