FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Paul Gascoigne has described Glenn Hoddle’s decision to axe him from the World Cup as “the worst thing that has ever happened to me”.

Gascoigne fled from England’s base in La Manga, Spain, after being told the crushing news on Sunday night in a private meeting with the England boss.

The 31-year-old Middlesborough midfielder said: “This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t believe this has happened.” Hoddle is said to have called time on Gazza’s France 98 ambitions for purely football and fitness reasons after he failed to make his mark on England’s final three warm-up matches against Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Belgium.

Bryan Robson, Gascoigne’s manager at Middlesborough, believes this blow spells the end of Gazza’s career on the world cup stage. “He will be 35 when the next World Cup comes around and knows he won’t get another chance.” 

Taken aback by the news he added: “I’m surprised. When Gazza’s fit, he’s the one who can do it at the highest level. ” It also surprises me because Glenn has been quoted as saying all along that he’s going to stick with the people who got him there.” I know he will be very upset about this. He loves his football and will be distressed.” 

One of the most controversial figures in world sport Gascoigne was widely expected to be at the hub of England’s midfield as Hoddle attempts to win the World Cup for England for the first time since 1966. But Hoddle was disappointed to see Middlesborough’s five million dollar signing back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons last month when pictured emerging from a club and eating a kebab in the early hours. The England boss warned his star player that if he misbehaved again he would be out of his France 98 plans.

Gascoigne appeared to heed the warning but ultimately not enough for Hoddle to risk his inclusion in the squad.