London (AFP) – Paul Gascoigne will stand trial in September after the troubled former England international footballer pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a racially aggravated public order offence.

The 49-year-old, affectionately known as “Gazza”, allegedly made a racist joke about a security guard during “An Evening With Gazza” show in Wolverhampton, central England, in November last year.

The former Newcastle, Lazio, Tottenham and Rangers midfielder, who has had a public battle with alcoholism and mental illness, was granted unconditional bail at a magistrates’ court until a trial on September 19.