Paul Gascoigne to stand trial over allegedly racist joke
The former England footballer is alleged to have made a joke about a black security guard
Paul Gascoigne is to stand trial for allegedly making a racist joke.
The 49-year-old former England footballer appeared before Dudley magistrates court on Wednesday morning and pleaded not guilty to a racially aggravated offence.
Gascoigne allegedly made the remarks during his show An Evening With Gazza at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 30 November.
He is alleged to have made a “joke” at the expense of a black security guard who was working at the gig and standing in a dark area of the stage. Gascoigne allegedly said he could not tell “if he was smiling or not”.
The midfielder, who lives in Dorset, was granted unconditional bail and will return to the court on 19 September when the trial is due to commence.
The former Tottenham, Newcastle and Rangers player, who has struggled with alcoholism for many years, retired from football in 2004 and has played for England a total of 57 times in his career.