21 - 27 February 2013
EWN
www.euroweeklynews.com
STREET TALK
J
75
Costa del Sol
As former soccer star and alcoholic Paul Gascoigne undergoes rehab in the US, England footballers and the FA have paid €48,000 towards treatment, also
being financed by Piers Morgan and friends. Could this money perhaps be better spent? EWN newsdesk reports.
Gascoigne’s alcohol rehab cash wasted or well spent?
OSE LUIS GONZALEZ, a 56-year-old salesman from Madrid visiting family in Altea, thinks it’s a waste of money to pay for more rehab, but also considers footballers can afford it. “Since footballers are so ridiculously overpaid they’re not likely to miss the money, are they?” he said. Spanish resident Sito Fabrega Navarro, who is the president of Albox Football Club, said: “Footballers can spend their money where they like. If they want to drink themselves to death it’s their choice.” Recently retired Oria resident Wilhelmina Rice said: “George Best was given a new liver and it didn’t stop him. These footballers should be like Alan Sugar and give their money to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.” Roger Davies, a retired mechanic from Benalmadena, was surprised to hear the news. “Where is his family when he needs help? Maybe they have given up on him after all these years of abusing himself.” Meanwhile Tony Quintero, from La Marina, felt that Paul Gascoigne has made enough money over the years to pay for his own rehab. “It would be nice to
know a few famous people who would be willing to pay for their mistakes.” He added: “I do hope he gets sorted out, but I think the money could have been better spent going to charity.” Alicia Pico, a student at Alicante University, had never heard of Paul Gascoigne. Once the Euro Weekly News briefed her on the troubled footballer’s career and his failed attempts at rehabilitation, Alicia felt compassion towards him. “Everyone deserves a second chance,” she said. But Terry Matthews, a resident of La Marina, feels Gascoigne should pay for his own rehabilitation. “He should take responsibility and sort himself out, it is not down to anyone else.” Fuengirola resident Simon Canales believes there is no hope left for Gascoigne. “After hearing that he was drinking two litres of gin every day and his massive drug binges, I don’t think he can ever recover mentally or physically.” UNDERGOING REHAB: Paul Gascoigne
Alicia Pico
Tony Quintero
Wilhelmina Rice