The Sun says it saved Paul Gascoigne’s life – what utter bollocks
IT’S day 2 of the Sun’s look at Paul Gascoigne, the alcoholic former England footballer whose life was saved by medics in America. Today, the Sun leads with news that Gazza was saved by a plea from Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager for whom the footballer never played.
Ferguson added his thoughts and good wishes on a DVD sent to Gascoigne. Others on the video include: Lord Alan Sugar, Paul Merson, David Moyes, David Ginola, Walter Smith, Bill Kenwright, Chris Evans, Wayne Rooney and Roy Hodgson, the current England manager. Oh, and Gascoigne’s mother, who “sobbed as she begged him to survive”, his dad, his sisters and his nephews. Says Gazza: “That DVD helped save my life.”
So. Not quite the headline:
Sir Alex Ferguson saved my life with DVD message of support, says Gazza
Gascoigne’s story is peppered with the Sun claiming glory for the new “chipper” Gazza:
“The mission was prompted by the Sun’s choking footage of stricken Gascoigne at a January charity bash where he could not stand or speak”
You see, you weren’t looking at the former footballer being a fool. You were looking in at the Sun’s therapy centre.
One Sun reader didn’t understand the paper’s noble intentions:
Humiliation of the man at his most vulnerable, just like they did with Besty … The folk that do this kind of thing are weak and pathetic inside, you know the sort who attack and shame when someone is down? Still it gets a story doesn’t it? Point a finger and there’s usually 3 pointing back … at YOU!
That video was published on the Sun’s website on February 5 2013.
One day earlier, on February 4, 2013, the BBC told us:
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has been admitted to a treatment centre in the US. The 45-year-old has willingly gone to an unnamed centre, his management company confirmed.
The former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio player has battled with alcoholism since giving up football. A recent appearance at a charity event, when he broke down sobbing on stage, sparked widespread concern.
In a statement, GamePlan Solutions said that Paul Gascoigne was an alcoholic with “complex issues”, which were being dealt with by professionals.
Got that? The Sun said it prompted Gascogne’s “mission” to Arizona one day after it was announced he was already getting treatment in Arizona. Gascoigne’s trip was funded by Gascoigne’s friends well before the Sun stepped in. Indeed, the Sun reproted on February 5, 2013:
[Chris] Evans… contacted former Spurs striker Gary Lineker, TV’s Piers Morgan and ex-England cricketer Ronnie Irani. They are paying for £13,600 first class British Airways flights for Gazza and a carer as well as £6,000 a week for his treatment at the Meadows Rehabilitation Centre in Phoenix, Arizona.
All “prompted” by the Sun’s video, says the Sun.
Photo: File photo dated 27/05/04 of Chris Evans and Paul Gascoigne as Evans is hopeful Gascoigne can get through his latest struggle with ill-health and addiction.
Posted: 11th, March 2013 | In: Key Posts, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
