London: Former England international Joey Barton has blasted England stars in a twitter rant after they rallied to help former star Paul Gascoigne.
Gazza, 45, is battling alcoholic and mental problems in a US hospital with medical bills amounting to £100,000 and could be in rehab for months.
Three Lions stars Jack Wilshire, John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, along with former internationals Gary Linekar and Alan Sherear donated to cover Gazza’s medical expense.
Barton, currently on loan to French club Marseille from QPR, blast the move in a twitter rant calling the Three Lion stars “blood seeking leeches”.
Television host Piers Morgan, tweeted back: “You’re sounding pathetic now. I hope you never need the kind of help Gazza needs”.
The 30-year-old Barton’s career has been marked with controversy throughout and was jailed for assault in 2008 apart from being booked by the English FA three times for violent conduct.
ANI
First Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013, 15:15