Gascoigne puts his foot in his mouth again
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PAUL GASCOIGNE opened his mouth on Sunday. Italian television viewers gasped, the media were scandalised, his club were angered, and the whole affair landed in Parliament. For his response to a question, straight into the camera, had been a loud and fruity belch.
Gazza, the star of Lazio football team, was unhappy at being dropped from the side for Sunday's match against Juventus which ended 1-1. Lazio players are refusing to talk to the press, with whom they are at odds.
Italians know Gazza sticks his tongue out at television cameras, has sworn at a TV team and pulled down the shorts of a fellow player in public. But his reply when asked how he felt about his exclusion proved too much.
'A man who does such things is considered a savage,' one sports commentator remarked. He 'has set a new record - for vulgarity' said the Rome daily Il Messaggero. 'The next move must be made by society which cannot permit such lapses of taste.'
On behalf of society, a neo-fascist member of parliament, Giulio Maceratini, tabled a question yesterday to the minister responsible for sport, Margherita Boniver, asking 'what measures she intends to take to protect Italian journalists' from such behaviour.
The episode 'demonstrates the level of upbringing and civic sense of a football champion who seems to be unaware of the most elementary rules of civilised conduct and sets an example that certainly cannot be recommended to the younger generation', he wrote.
Mr Maceratini, whose party has never been famous for Anglophilia, also wanted an 'evaluation' of 'this episode of courtesy from Albion'. He suggested Gascoigne be fined. Lazio yesterday decided to do just that, but did not say by how much.
Lazio want Gazza to stay, page 30
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments