Gascoigne committed to psychiatric hospital

• by Soccer America , Feb 22, 2008

Former England star Paul Gascoigne was arrested and ordered into compulsory mental health custody after he refused to evacuate following a 3 a.m. fire alarm at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel. During his stay at the hotel, according to sources cited by the Telegraph, Gascoigne had wandered around with three battery-operated plastic parrots that said "Give us a kiss" to other guests; ordered plates of raw liver to his room; and answered his room door while naked.

Gascoigne, 40, is being held under Britain's Mental Health Act, which allows for compulsory assessment or treatment for people suspected of suffering from "severe mental impairment," "psychopathic disorder" or "mental illness."

Gascoigne's career was marred by on- and off-field problems. After his career peaked at the 1990 World Cup, where he helped England to a fourth-place finish, Gascoigne's troubles included several alcohol-related incidents.

His coaching stint at lower division Kettering ended after management said he was "under the influence of alcohol before, during and after several first-team games and training sessions."

In his autobiography, Gascoigne admitted to bouts of depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and drinking binges. He also admitted breaking his wife's finger and head-butting her.

The Telegraph reported that Gascoigne said eating raw liver was good for his blood.

About Gascoigne's behavior after the fire alarm went off, a hotel spokeswoman told the Telegraph: "Other guests felt threatened by his behavior. The guests in the room next to him were moved out as they felt intimidated. He moved toward the night porter who felt threatened."

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "The man was detained under the Mental Health Act and no one was injured during the incident."

In November, Gascoigne was prevented from boarding his flight in Malta by airport staff who described him as "deemed not fit to travel" because of inebriation.