Gascoigne quizzed over assault claim

The footballer Paul Gascoigne is to be questioned by detectives about an alleged common assault on a woman in London. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "Police have received an allegation of common assault on a young woman on March 12."

The England and Rangers star is said to have slapped the woman across the face after she approached the car in which he was sitting with the television presenter Chris Evans. Sky News reported that the 27-year- old woman spotted Evans and Gascoigne in the back of a car outside the Cafe Royal and came over to speak to Evans when the assault allegedly happened. Gascoigne is alleged to have leant out to strike the woman.

According to Sky News, the woman's version of events is supported by statements from two friends.The news comes just two days after an Italian judge gave the footballer a three-month suspended jail sentence for punching a photographer. That assault occurred in Rome while Gascoigne was playing for Lazio in 1994.