Gascoigne to appear in court over 'joke'

London — Former England soccer player Paul Gascoigne will appear in court on June 17 for making an alleged racist joke.

British prosecutors said Saturday that Gascoigne will be in court to answer a summons and be charged with an offense of racially aggravated abuse.

Britain's Press Association said the 49-year-old Gascoigne allegedly made the joke about a black security official at one of his stage shows called "An Evening with Gazza" in Wolverhampton, central England, on November 30. Police have since been investigating a complaint about Gascoigne's conduct during the show.

One of British soccer's most gifted players, Gascoigne has faced years of alcohol and mental health problems.