Paul Gascoigne 'sectioned under Mental Health Act' after reported drinking binge

The former Spurs player has had a long-running battle with alcohol

Gascoigne pictured at a football match in April of this year (GETTY)

Tottenham Hotspur say they are supporting Paul Gascoigne after he was reportedly sectioned under the Mental Health Act following a drinking binge.

Medics sectioned the 47-year-old under the Mental Health Act at 3am yesterday after a drinking binge, according to The Sun.

He has reportedly been placed on a three-day emergency detox.

The newspaper said police were called to Gascoigne's home in Poole, Dorset, at around 3.30pm on Thursday. Officers were with him when he went to hospital early yesterday.

His close friend and former Spurs team-mate Gary Mabbutt said: "Paul hasn't been well for the past couple of weeks, he wants to get better and he's asked for help. He is being looked after very well - he has got a lot of support around him."

However, Mabbutt did not confirm reports that he had been sectioned.

A spokesman for Spurs said: "We are aware of the situation with Paul and continue to offer our support."

Gascoigne’s agent Terry Baker declined to comment on the reports when contacted by The Independent.