Paul Gascoigne guilty over racist comment - BBC News
When I first read this I thought it's crazy PC nonsense... akin to someone making a joke about being blinded by my white skin when I take my top off. On second reading I realise he didn't say it to the guy at the time, but as a joke to the audience. Which to me makes it stupid and inappropriate but hardly criminal if the statement was true.
What do people think?
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has pleaded guilty to racially aggravated abuse after a "joke" he told during a show.
Gascoigne, 49, made the comment during An Evening With Gazza in Wolverhampton on 30 November 2015.
At Dudley Magistrates' Court, the ex-player admitted using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour".
Gascoigne, who lives in Dorset, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation.
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The Express & Star newspaper reported the charge related to a remark the former England midfielder made about the guard, who was in a darkened part of the stage. Gascoigne allegedly said he could not tell "if he was smiling or not".
Gascoigne, 49, made the comment during An Evening With Gazza in Wolverhampton on 30 November 2015.
At Dudley Magistrates' Court, the ex-player admitted using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour".
Gascoigne, who lives in Dorset, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation.
...
The Express & Star newspaper reported the charge related to a remark the former England midfielder made about the guard, who was in a darkened part of the stage. Gascoigne allegedly said he could not tell "if he was smiling or not".
What do people think?
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