Gascoigne admits to whisky diet
HIS hands shaking uncontrollably and a stream of swear words tumbling out of his mouth, it was a very different ‘‘Gazza’’ to the man who wowed a global audience at the 1990 World Cup.
Paul Gascoigne’s appearance at a charity event has sparked renewed fears about the health of one of England’s most talented and popular footballers, with some even saying his life is in danger.
‘‘He sounds as if he needs almost a 24-hour watching brief at the moment,’’ said Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Gascoigne has been plagued by alcohol and mental-health problems since quitting the game in 2005. But he had been keeping a relatively low profile over the past two years until he made a public appearance at an event in Northampton, central England – footage of which was showed on the website of British newspaper The Sun at the weekend.
In a question and answer session in front of what appeared to be a raucous crowd, the 45-yearold Gascoigne struggled to hold onto the microphone and slurred his words. The audience cheered every answer but the sadness soon hit home as he began to sob.
‘‘I’ve had a [expletive] hard month – [expletive] hell,’’ said Gascoigne, who later added that he had been on a ‘‘whisky diet’’.
His agent, Terry Baker, said Gascoigne had been drinking again and didn’t realise he was shaking during the event.
The incident led to a flurry of comments from members of the public and former players.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said on Twitter: ‘‘This is not fun watching. Gazza needs help. Come on PFA and Gordon Taylor, time to step up.’’
Taylor said he has been in touch with Gascoigne over the weekend.
‘‘He’s said it’s just a blip,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘But it really is down to him. We just don’t want this to be another George Best tragedy,’’ Taylor added, in reference to the Manchester United great who died in 2005 after a battle with alcoholism. ‘‘But there is a frustration that when things look to be improving, it all goes off wire.’’
Taylor said ‘‘there isn’t a player we’ve done more for’’ in his time at the PFA.