Marseille's loanee midfielder Joey Barton has launched a scathing verbal attack on those that have offered financial support to help Paul Gascoigne receive treatment for his alcoholism at an American clinic.
The likes of Gary Lineker, Chris Evans, Piers Morgan and Jack Wilshere are all believed to have contributed to Gascoigne's cause.
However, Barton believes that whoever put their hands in their pockets should have asked to remain anonymous.
"The alcohol abuse will kill him. The prescription drug addiction and the addiction to the limelight and not having it anymore, r major issue. If those well meaning souls, get this wrong he will be dead within the year," he wrote on Twitter.
"Thats the reality. All thise that have tried to love/help him down the years. Have done so with the greatest intentions, not all but some. And look at the man now. He needs professional help and the privacy to recover. Not doing interviews an having the media follow him. And not pricks like me and @piersmorgan talking about his situation.
"And also not picking up and paper today to read who has now pledged money to help him. Its embarrassing and has become a PR exercise. Paul is a proud man. Its humiliating enough living your life in the public eye in his situation. Last thing he needs is PR guru's telling their clients to 'Chip in' its good PR. Thats what happening now. You fucking blood sucking leaches. If you want to help or donate money do it privately or in person, not in the main stream media.
"The audacity of some people makes my stomach turn. He is going to die. There will be national out pouring. Ppl will say if only we could of done this/that. Again the key issue will be missed! And all those that publicly donated can say, 'Hey, I tried to help...' No you didn't, you used a dying mans struggle to leverage your image!
"I really hope Paul, gets through this, from the bottom of my heart I do. Only he got himself in this situation. Only he can get out!"
Reports over the weekend had claimed that Gascoigne was admitted to intensive care following a negative reaction to the treatment, although he is now believed to have returned to the clinic in Arizona.
Liam Apicella
