Paul Gascoigne to appear in court over alleged racist 'joke'

The Crown Prosecution Service initially decided not to charge him but later reversed its decision and charged Gascoigne for racially aggravated abuse

The former Tottenham, Newcastle and Rangers player retired from football in 2004 and has played for England a total of 57 times in his career (GETTY)

Paul Gascoigne is set to be charged with racially aggravated abuse over an alleged racist “joke” he made during one of his shows.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said at first it chose not to charge him after his An Evening With Gazza show at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 30 November.

According to the BBC, that choice was subsequently reversed after a request to review evidence.

The 49-year-old former England midfielder, who has struggled with alcoholism for many years, will appear at Wolverhampton magistrates’ court on 17 June to answer the summons and be charged with the offence, the CPS said on Saturday.

Gascoigne reportedly made the alleged “joke” at the expense of a black security guard working at the gig. The man was standing in a dark area of the stage and Gascoigne allegedly said he could not tell “if he was smiling or not”.

The former Tottenham, Newcastle and Rangers player retired from football in 2004 and has played for England a total of 57 times in his career.

A representative for Gascoigne did not immediately respond to request for comment.