Gazza barred from boarding a plane because he was too drunk

The ex-England player had been invited to Malta to play in a special veterans match, but is said to have been barred from boarding his return flight when judged too drunk to get on the plane.

Gascoigne, 40, had managed to play only in the last half hour of the game last Thursday, and barely got a touch of the ball as a team of British veterans were beaten 5-1 by a squad of ageing Italians.

He was then seen drinking heavily in his hotel - and by the time he arrived at Malta's international airport at 3.30pm on Sunday onlookers said he was considerably the worse for wear.

The girl at the check in desk informed her supervisor, who is said to have promptly told Gascoigne he was not in a fit state to fly.

The former footballer reportedly complained, but to no avail.

And when a young fan asked for his autograph shortly after, Gascoigne is said to have told him 'You'll be silly to fly with Air Malta'.

He is then understood to have left the airport, and last night it was still not clear whether he had left Malta.

Staff at the Gran Hotel Excelsior in Floriana, just outside the Malteste capital Valletta, said Gascoigne drank heavily after Thursday's match, and broke several glasses in the hotel cocktail bar.

Reports suggested he gone on a long drinking binge on Saturday and at Sunday lunch time before his abortive attempt to fly home.

Gazza, whose hair is currently dyed light blonde, flew into the Mediterranean island last Tuesday for the 'Legends' football match.

Other veteran players taking part included Andy Goran, Ray Parlour, Lee Sharpe, Viv Anderson, Peter Bonetti and Mark Hateley, who scored the only goal for his side.

Italy were fitter and more organised and won easily before a crowd of 7,000.

Before Gascoigne got on to the pitch he is said to have given his autograph to a cheerleader, signing his name on her tiny bra.

The former England player, who parted company with his latest agent several weeks ago and is currently unrepresented, could not be contacted for comment last night.

His long-term friend and drinking buddy Jimmy 'Five Bellies Gardner', of Gateshead near Newcastle, said he was unaware of the incident.

Only last month Mr Gardner claimed Gascoigne was fit and well after returning to his Tyneside home from a month at the £3,500-a-week Cottonwood rehab clinic in Arizona.

It was his sixth spell in rehab after long years of fighting alcohol.

Gascoigne's heavy drinking led to the breakdown of his marriage and the premature end of his footballing career.