Rehab clinic asks media to stop “harassing” Gazza

LONDON - The Providence Projects, the rehabilitation clinic where Paul Gascoigne is being treated, has urged media to stop “harassing” the former England footballer, adding that media attention is “adding to his anxieties.”

Gascoigne is being treated for alcoholism and depression after being caught on drink driving charges.

The Sky News quoted Paul Spanjar, treatment director for ‘The Providence Projects’, as saying that reporters and photographers have been camped outside its campus daily since the 43-year-old player entered rehab.

“This is as much of a plea as it is a statement. Paul is working incredibly hard in treatment, focusing purely on the critical battle against his illness. Unfortunately, he is constantly the subject of harassment by the press and photographers. We arrive in treatment each morning with photographers camped outside, taking pictures of both Paul as well as other current patients,” Spanjar said.

“This damaging interference in Paul’s ongoing rehabilitation could have a serious negative effect on Paul’s whole future,” he added.

The plea came after the former World Cup star missed his sentencing for drink-driving at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on November 11, and voluntarily checked himself into the rehab clinic.

District Judge Stephen Earl adjourned the case until December 9, and warned that Gascoigne could be jailed for 12 weeks and asked for a report to be prepared by the Probation Service. (ANI)