Gazza accused of racial abuse after arrest for nightclub brawl

Punch up: This picture of Gazza was taken outside the club before his arrest
13 April 2012

Former England soccer star Paul Gascoigne was accused of racially abusing a photographer today after being arrested for an alleged brawl outside one of Prince Harry's favourite clubs.

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• Gazza profile: Legend, alcoholic and wife beater

He was held on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after claims he punched a photographer. Witnesses also claimed that he hurled abuse at another photographer, calling him a black ****. He was later released on police bail.

The fracas happened as Gascoigne, 39, left Kensington's Boujis, a nightclub frequented by Prince Harry when he is on leave from Sandhurst. Scotland Yard said police were called at 3.40am after a man alleged that he had been punched. Officers arrested Gascoigne at the nearby Vancat Club at about 4.15am.

A witness said the former Tottenham player was with three women and two men as he left Boujis. They were followed by photographers to a vehicle.

The witness said: "The photographers stopped taking pictures and Gazza turned around and punched the photographer in the face.

"There was another black photographer and he called him a black **** and started on him. "The photographer called the police and they were there within minutes. He had a bruised nose and his lip was quite swollen."

The witness said Gascoigne was very drunk and "falling all over the place". Gascoigne's arrest comes amid fears for the former midfielder's health.

He has fought alcohol addiction. In September, he reportedly went on a gambling binge, spending £4,000 at a Mayfair casino.

• Former Chelsea football star Jody Morris was today spared jail for a drink-driving offence. He was banned from driving for four years and was ordered to do 80 hours of community service.

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