Paul Gascoigne has sparked fresh concern for his health after he was allegedly caught slurring his words during a trip to Dubai - but his representative is adamant the former footballer is not back on the booze.
The former Newcastle United ace, who has battled drink issues for years, was on a speaking tour in the United Arab Emirates and he joined a group of England fans to watch their much-anticipated Euro 2012 match against Ukraine earlier this month.
But onlookers became worried for Paul as he started slurring his words and slumped in a chair with chalk from a pool cue smeared on his face.
He's also said to have lost hundreds of pounds on pool table bets before he was whisked away by a concerned promoter and a pal.
Ex-pat Kareem Ghani told The Sun: "It's so tragic. He was really friendly but just looked like a ghost. Everyone around him was drinking. The measures here are massive so these are huge quantities of alcohol. He really needs help before it's too late.
"He was just out of it. He was making wild pool bets and losing because he could hardly hold the cue. He's a football legend and he shouldn't have ended up like this. He needs better protecting."
However, his spokesperson insists Paul wasn't drunk - because he only enjoys non-alcoholic beverages nowadays.
Agent Matt Jones said: "Paul Gascoigne is currently at home in Dorset after a week in Newcastle and a trip to Dubai for the England v Ukraine Euro 2012 match.
"Committed to his health and wellbeing - he works out every day - he has only been drinking soft drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails."
The troubled sportsman had a drink-driving charge against him dropped last year and he was ordered to attend treatment for alcohol addiction.