RAY WILKINS HAS denied allegations he has a drinking problem and revealed he is suffering from the chronic bowel disease ulcerative colitis.
Fulham confirmed yesterday that they had parted company with the former England midfielder, who was assistant head coach at Craven Cottage, along with head coach Rene Meulensteen and technical director Alan Curbishley.
Wilkins was involved in a touchline spat with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers in a 3-2 Premier League defeat at Craven Cottage earlier this month and it was claimed that the 57-year-old had turned up to the game under the influence of alcohol.
However, while the former Chelsea coach admitted that he can appear “worse for wear”, he confirmed that is down to the fact that he is suffering from the same condition that has hampered Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher’s career.
He told The Daily Mail: “I need to control the ulcerative colitis with strict medication, which I had not done before the Liverpool game. That is the reason I didn’t return to the dug-out after half-time as I needed to be close to a toilet.
“Unfortunately I can look the worse for wear but it is nothing to do with drink. I did have verbals with Brendan Rodgers, but it was nothing.
“I was face to face with (Fulham) chief executive Alistair Mackintosh and the owner Mr Khan straight before the game.
“And if I had been unable to carry out my duties, they had the right to sack me on the spot. I most certainly hadn’t been drinking on the train before the match.”
Wilkins, who was charged with drink-driving last year, had not informed Meulensteen about his illness and was eager to set the record straight as he is determined to stay in the game.
“I didn’t want to make a fuss about my illness, I didn’t tell Rene,” he added. “Darren Fletcher said how hard it was to tell his team-mates.
“But I desperately want to carry on in football and there’s no chance of that happening if everyone gets the wrong impression that I have a drink problem.
“I was very stupid about the drink-driving and I have had trouble with depression on occasions. But not since I was back in football. I was so excited about the Fulham challenge, but it’s all about results.”
Cheating the first time is difficult but it’s get easier every time. If world athletics bodies are serious there should be a lifetime ban for every offender, no excuses.
@EK:
Exactly, This can be easily done by making it too risky to cheat with illegal performance enhancers, a lifetime ban is the only way for proven cheats.
It’s a pretty big jump to drag Justin into this story other than for clickbait….and if I was offered 250,000 dollars I’d get my hands on some performance enhancing drugs for you too.
@Markonline: ah do you not think the PEDs made that jump a bit easier ??
@Limón Madrugada: it’s his coaches, not Gatlin.
@Markonline: Fair play, its all about the way you were brought up i suppose….
@Minom Pnnomm: so he did win a gold on drugs.
Hgh is everywhere..athletics and most sports at the highest level are a game of not getting caught
“Why always me?”
What a dope
How does this implicate Gatlin? Surely this applies to the BBC sports personality Of The year.
@Darren Egan: good point on the double standards. Plenty of potentially dodge English athletes. Farah and Kelly Holmes at the top of the list
Sir Bradley Williams…sky cycling in general
Who honestly gives a crap. So he runs one hundred metres really fast. Who gives a crap. I still have to go to work in the morning
Gatlin should have never been allowed to compete after the first time. Cheats have destroyed genuine competitors lives and taken the accolades deserving to them, Sonia O’ Sullivan comes to mind.
Seb Coe – what a clown
@Shane Gleeson: disaster of a tenure in his job generally.
And still the British press ignore the stink surrounding Mo Farah.
Anyone on a TUE from Waa is a cheat in my book, I think they are ALL on drugs but that is my personal opinion?