Former England player Paul Gascoigne to stand trial

Former England player Paul Gascoigne to stand trial

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:11 p.m. ET

DUDLEY, England (AP) Former England player Paul Gascoigne will stand trial after pleading not guilty to a racially-aggravated public order offense.

The former Tottenham and Lazio midfielder is alleged to have directed the abuse at a black security guard in November at his stage show, ''An Evening with Gazza,'' in Wolverhampton, central England.

The 49-year-old Gascoigne appeared Wednesday at nearby Dudley Magistrates' Court, signing autographs for fans outside the court.

A single charge alleges Gascoigne ''used threatening or abusive words or behavior or disorderly behavior within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress'' and that the offense was racially aggravated.

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Gascoigne was granted unconditional police bail ahead of a trial scheduled for September.

Once one of England's most talented players, Gascoigne has faced years of alcohol and mental health problems.

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