Paul Gascoigne has been fined £1,000 after he pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence over a “joke” he made towards a black security guard at a show.
The former England star, 49, admitted using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour" during An Evening With Gazza show in Wolverhampton in November.
Gascoigne, whose career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers, pleaded guilty to the offence at Dudley Magistrates' Court on Monday.
He initially denied the charge but changed his plea before the first witness was called to give evidence.
District Judge Graham Wilkinson was told the offending comment was made during an on-stage performance by Gascoigne on November 30 last year at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall.
After Gascoigne's change of plea, Judge Wilkinson said the ex-player had admitted "the sort of insidious racism" that needed to be challenged.
He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to the security guard.
The footballer made 57 appearances for England during his 10-year international career.
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