Updated at 14.20
FORMER ENGLAND FOOTBALLER Paul Gascoigne has been fined £1,000 (€1,168) and ordered to pay £1,000 (€1,168) in compensation by a court for making a racist comment to a black security guard at his An Evening With Gazza show last year.
Dudley Magistrates Court was told Gascoigne, 49, had humiliated Errol Rowe, who had been given the job of protecting him during his performance in the nearby English West Midlands town of Wolverhampton on 30 November last year, by asking him: “Can you smile please, because I can’t see you?”
District Judge Graham Wilkinson, fining Gascoigne, told the retired playmaker: “You sought to get a laugh from an audience of over 1,000 people because of the colour of Mr Rowe’s skin.”
It had appeared Gascoigne, who made his name at northeast club Newcastle United before enjoying spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Rome club Lazio and Glasgow Rangers, would contest the charge.
But Gascoigne changed his plea before the first witness was called to give evidence this morning.
Following Gascoigne’s guilty plea, Wilkinson said the former midfielder, a member of the England side that reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, had admitted to “the sort of insidious racism” that needed to be challenged.
One of the most naturally-talented English footballers of his generation, Gascoigne’s post-playing career has become best known for repeated struggles with alcoholism and mental illness.
However, he appeared fit and well as he signed autographs for fans before entering court on Monday.
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Attitude
@Al Byrne: said for the likes of Stokes in the past past , Parrott recently and now this lad
@Al Byrne: bull
He doesn’t really do it for me. He shows maybe 10 minutes of potential and then goes missing.
Plus his attitude and behaviour off the pitch is dreadful. He seems happier to be around Z list celebs than focusing on a future in football.
@Madra: I’ve been watching him play since he was in the 21s and his work-rate and attitude are very good.
He runs channels all day, makes space for his attacking teammates and is a nitemare for full-backs.
Maybe the big PL contact came too early but he’ll come good for us, I’m sure of it.
Some of the comments aimed at him are nothing more than petty begrudgery, the same type we’ve seen aimed at young Irish high-achievers forever. These same hurlers-from-the-ditch have never achieved anything but are happy to cast down one of our own for showing something different.
His Barnet is cat too
@Liam De Oráiste: speak for yourself
Has been known to cause a bit of trouble and not really showing a head for the game
Connolly is a significant absence,but does anyone know why SK isn’t too keen on Scott hogan?
@Pauly Kel: I’d have Obafemi & Hogan instead of Collins & Keane.
Stephen Kenny has got this very wrong.I would rather connolly then Horgan in the team.kenny will live to regret it
@Mick Dunne: I bet you he won’t.
Let’s face it …Kenny is lost in the wilderness.. and as for the Irish squad…those who were picked ..and those who were not….None of them would be guaranteed a start in a under 16 girls team
Who’s Aaron Connolly???
Is Collins playing regularly
I think it was the Portugal game , he was awful, worst player on the pitch.