Gascoigne arrested after alleged assault

Paul Gascoigne has been arrested after an alleged assault outside a city-centre hotel.

The former England footballer will be questioned by police later about the incident involving a photographer near the Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “A 38-year-old man was arrested following reports of an alleged assault outside the Hope Street Hotel at around 11.30pm last night.

“He is currently in custody at a police station in the city and will be interviewed by detectives later today.”

The Sun reported that freelance photographer Steve Farrell made a complaint to police that he had been assaulted.

Farrell said he needed treatment from paramedics for a cut eye after he followed Gascoigne in the street, along with several other photographers.

He told the newspaper: “I said to Gazza: ‘You don’t mind if we take your picture, do you?' He walked over and made like he was going to shake my hand and said: ‘No, but you don’t mind this, do you?’

“Then he whacked me with a left hand. There was a cut above my eye and there was blood down the side of my face. It was a proper punch.

“His mates pulled him off and the worst thing was Gazza just started laughing hysterically. He seemed to think it was hilarious.”

Gascoigne, 38, had visited the city yesterday to speak at a fund-raiser for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.

It is not clear whether he was staying at the Hope Street Hotel, which is billed as Liverpool’s “first boutique hotel”.

Earlier yesterday, Kettering Town chairman Imraan Ladak decided to remove Gascoigne as manager after just 39 days in charge at the Nationwide Conference North side.

Ladak said he spoke to Gascoigne after 37 separate incidents since he became manager.

He said Gascoigne was “under the influence of alcohol before, during and after several first-team games and training sessions”.

The one-time Newcastle, Spurs, Lazio and Rangers midfielder admitted drinking a double brandy before one game, but insisted he had been “stitched up”.

Gascoigne said he intended to join the team for their game at Alfreton tonight despite the appointment of a new manager, Kevin Wilson.

He vowed to watch the action from behind the dugout, and fire instructions to the players.

He had earlier launched a bid to buy the club, insisting that its players and staff were behind him.

Ladak turned down his offer and urged Gascoigne to seek “professional medical assistance”.

He added: “I have tried to help Paul through this difficult period but gave an undertaking to the board prior to my takeover that if Paul hit the bottle I would remove him as manager.

“Paul has not reacted well to the news and has made numerous threats that if I do not sell him the club he will use his name and the media to turn the players and supporters against me.

“This has already begun, with Paul calling a number of the first team last night, under the influence of alcohol.

“Paul even told players not to report for training.

“Paul was my childhood idol and when sober is a wonderful person.”

Gascoigne reacted by posting a statement on his website criticising Ladak over lack of funds for players, and accusing him of undermining his position as manager.

Confronted with claims that he had been under the influence of drink at a recent match, Gascoigne told Sky Sports News: “So what? I tell you the truth, I had a double brandy before the game.”

“Before it used to be four bottles of whisky. It’s not any more.”

He added: “As far as I’m concerned I’m not sacked because I never signed a contract.”

He was also dismissive of Ladak’s knowledge of the game, describing him as “a doctor” who was a “control freak”.

“He told me he’s been watching football for 20 years five days a week and knows how football should be played,” he said.

“Well, the guy can’t trap a bag of cement as far as I’m concerned.

“I won’t walk away. I’ll do it my way and I’ll keep doing it my way.

“I’ve had all the players onto me since 1am this morning and they’re all behind me, the staff are behind me, and Kettering Town are behind me,” said Gascoigne.

Gascoigne admitted that he had been through a “tough time” over the past year, and was having counselling.

He added: “If the fans want me out I’ll leave and hold my hands up. I won’t make excuses. I know I did the job properly. I’ve been stitched up.”