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The decision is Glenn Hoddle's. It is his job and he has proved himself to be a good coach at Chelsea and I think that Venables thought that Hoddle was his best replacement. Gazza is not "irresponsible and undisciplined".
This is media hype of the same type that George Best suffered at the hands of an irresponsible and undisciplined media and what about the consumers of that media? Do they not have a responsibility to themselves to analyse the media in a bit more depth than they often do? To get to Gazza's position takes an incredible amount of effort, training, self-discipline, determination, self-sacrifice...the list is long. Remember George Best? Was he left footed or right footed? Wrong! He was right footed. He practiced so hard to even up his left side he became better on that side. The media would have him in the pub straight after training when in reality he stayed behind at the training field for hours. If you check the records I think you'll be surprised at the incredible number of goals he scored and the consistency of his performances. But what do you remember? The bad press.
It's the same with Gazza. He has been unfortunate this season with injuries and not enough game play to get match fit. However, he is one of those people who, even half fit, can win a match with a flash of genius to put either himself or a team mate in a scoring position. Hoddle was wrong. The TV companies and advertisers must also be crying. He is one of the reasons that people watch the game in the first place. Beckham! Don't be silly...I've half a mind to put a tenner on England not getting through their group.
Colin Gaunt, UK

When any sportsman/woman is representing their country on a world stage, as in the World Cup, then your dedication, presentation and commitment along with the high salary, should be kept intact. As in Gazza's case smoking, drinking excessively, wife bashing, and fighting, (do I need to go on?) are issues that are not ideal for his young fans to be brought up on, especially when the world and local governments spend millions of dollars on the prevention of smoking and alcoholic abuse amongst the young. Having said that, he is, or was a fantastic player and at international level you need to be at your best. Unfortunately Gazza has not exactly been outstanding in England's last 2/3 games; not the Gazza of old.
Tony Brown, Australia

The England manager (or coach) must have a team of players who are not only match-fit, but who are also willing to accept the discipline and training regime that a world cup squad must expect. Gazza has clearly shown he is not up to expectations on both counts and he can no longer rely upon his youthful inner strengths to pull him through. At 30 years of age those inner reserves have all been used up along with the patience of his managers. I think the words are 'immature' and 'irresponsible'. I applaud the decision and I believe this may be the making of Gazza the man instead of Gazza the clown.
Neil Ashurst, Ghana, West Africa

Even to use him as a substitute could have turned games around for us.
Tim Walker, UK

What makes it all even worse are the inclusions of some of the other players. Gazza has more skill in his little finger than the likes of Ferdinand, and if fitness was really the key, why Anderton?
Paul Dobek, USA

When a side is not winning after 70 minutes it brings on a player that can make a difference. Who in England outside of Gazza can make such a difference and why has Hoddle not put that person on the team?
Paul Marx, USA

The answer will be obvious in 6 weeks time!
Mark Reid, USA

There are plenty of talented players who are at peak fitness. For such an important event that only comes around every four years it's important for the team to be at full strength, mentally and physically. Therefore Hoddle is totally justified and correct to leave Gazza out.
Roger S Thelwell, England

An unfortunate, but necessary decision. Hoddle has to choose the best players, not just skill- wise but fitness-wise as well, at any particular time. Right now that does not include Paul Gascoigne. I don't think there is such a dearth of creative talent in England for Hoddle to carry along a third rate athlete.
Anderson Mutemererwa, Sweden

Surely it's up to Glenn Hoddle who he drops and who he doesn't - it strikes me that football fans are already looking for somebody to blame when they don't bring home the World Cup. It's a sad state of affairs for sport if your hopes truly rest on the erratic talent of a spoilt, brutish, mollycoddled crybaby like Gazza. Leave poor Glenn to do his job. And try and get used to the idea that if you don't win the World Cup maybe it's because the whole team is not good enough. Learn to lose gracefully, and treat the team as our heroes whatever the result.
Fiona, England

Gascoigne did not do the necessary preparation. He let us fans down and he let his fellow squad members down. His omission was the correct decision and we are the losers. A fully fit and motivated Gascoigne could have brought us back the Cup.
Simon Dickson, USA

Yes, any player that is continually injured through poor fitness is no use on a national side. His skill is undeniable - his commitment questionable.
James Millward, UK

Hoddle was definitely doing the right thing by dropping Gascoigne. Even though he is a genius, he does not deserve a place in the England 22. After all there are still creative players like Anderton and McManaman in the team. England for the World Cup!
Poh Wei Chian, Singapore

It took only several moments of sheer genius from Maradona to win matches for Argentina. A not 100% Gazza still has all the potential to do the same thing for England in France. His shot against Saudi Arabia almost rescued the poor effort at Wembley. I will still cheer my heart out for England, but I have doubts whether England would be going beyond the quarterfinals without Gazza's magic. I hope this unfortunate turn of events does not entice Gazza to retire.
Nopporn Chuchinda, Thailand

Gazza has done nothing to justify Hoddle including him in the England squad. His attitude to Hoddle and his childish outburst, when he was told he had not made the final squad, demonstrates his inability to deal with tough situations. We want players we can be proud of representing our country in France, players that whether they win or lose, we can say to them: 'Well done. We're proud of you. You played to the best of your ability.' Not: 'Well, he did have a great run at the defence in the 76th minute'.
Hoddle has had the patience of a saint with Gazza and given him every chance. If the reports of Gazza's reaction to Hoddle are true I hope he never wears an England shirt again.
I admired Gazza once - but no more.
Martin Rudman, UK

I believe that Glenn Hoddle has made the right decision - the squad must be made up of players who are fully fit and in good current form, there's no room for passengers at international level. Anyway, even if England don't do very well in the World Cup, there could be no way of telling whether including/dropping a certain player would have made any difference. So let's have no 'oh, he should (or shouldn't) have picked so-and-so' from the tabloid hacks and commentators (as if they know it all) if we don't win the thing - just any of you lot try doing the job!
Another point: Is it not amazing that just a short while ago, Glenn was being criticised for even considering Gazza because he smokes? Yet now he's being criticised for not picking him!
Stewart Brown, England

Of course we do, the comments on Hoddle not selecting Gazza will support that. Football, like a lot of other "professional" sports, is all about money - satellite deals, sponsorship, and gate takings - and not at all about sport. Euro '96 was not a competition, it was war. In London disgruntled English fans went out into the streets to harass German people and damage German cars because they lost a game! Don't be a part of the hype, it is just a way for corporations to suck more of your time and money out of you. If you want to see a real sport, go to your local park and watch a scratch game of something, using a dented ball and sweatshirts for goalposts. Despite the assertions of some of the contributors the World Cup has nothing to do with "friendly" competition or world peace, it just perpetuates parochialism and conflict.
Fiona Kellington, UK

Anderton's inclusion and Gascoigne's exclusion makes no sense. Gascoigne has a magical quality not otherwise present in the final 22.
Michael Patey, England

Gazza had plenty of time to get fit. If Chris Evans were a real football fan he would have helped him get in shape by keeping him off the booze.
Mike Sampson, UK

I feel sorry for Gascoigne but he was not fully fit. Most of the reports in the media seem to support this fact, so whether or not it is his fault that he is not fully fit should not have been considered. Hoddle was right. For goodness sake let the manager manage.
John Burch, Cyprus

Bearing in mind that England have got a full fortnight before their next game in the World Cup, Glenn Hoddle might have considered the possibility of giving Gazza more time to get fit for the game. Perhaps even wait until the second game, which would give Gazza enough time to greatly improve his fitness!
James Ryan, England

He may well have the ability and the skill to play for England but he didn't deserve to go. I hope this teaches him a lesson. He's like a big kid who expects everything for nothing and cries at the drop of a hat when things aren't going his way.
G Scott, Scotland

When was the last time that Gazza was fully match fit? Not for quite some time I suspect. But the fact that he can lord it about and then produce 'that goal' to save a side is part of his genius. Glenn Hoddle's decision is not brave. England's former managers made the brave decision in keeping a controversial figure whose presence on the field lifted a team to several victories that they frankly never should have had. Hoddle, it would seem, believes that England can win the World Cup without genius in the team. Hmmm, better tell that to the Brazilians.
Edward Motler, England

If Hoddle didn't think he was fit enough then so be it. As far as I am concerned Hoddle knows what he is doing and I hope we go far just to prove all you critics wrong!!
Rachel, UK

I was completely against Hoddle's decision until Gascoigne admitted to being drunk the night before. Fair enough - let the players relax, but don't go over the top. I'm now with Hoddle 100%.
Tony Bradley, UK

Glenn Hoddle is trying to be too clever and trying to make a name for himself as a great manager. He isn't a great manager, otherwise he would have realised that a 30% fit Gazza is better than Mcmanaman, Lee and Anderton. With Ince and Batty in midfield, who is going to supply the imagination? Also, I think he was wrong to drop Neville, who could supply adequate back up for Le Saux, or in midfield. Without him, who is cover on the left hand side? Anderton? What a joke. Also, with Ince and Batty starting as two ball winners, why drop the only over in this position - Nicky Butt. I, like Matt Le Tissier, do not know what's going on in Glenn Hoddle's head.
Graham Davies, UK

Hoddle was talking about fitness and was wondering if Gazza was able to last for 7 matches considering the level of fitness he is at, fair enough but he doesn't have to play him the whole 90 minutes. We all know what Gazza is able to do and he is one of the few players in the whole tournament that can turn the game around ....we needed Gazza, even as a sub..I hope Hoddle won't regret this.
Hosam Sulieman, GB

Yes he was right. Gazza coudn't even get signed by a premiership team last season and had to go and play in the 1st division. He should have dropped Anderton and Ferdinand too - what do these players have to do to get out of the squad (apart from play for a different team than Spurs)?
Michael Smith, England

Unfortunately Gascoigne is a victim of his own hype. No one deserves to walk into a World Cup squad and if a primadonna lets himself go once to often his place will be taken by honest players who realise what the World Cup really means. The stage is set for Scholes and Owen to shine. Maybe they'll take Evans off the telly too!
Patrick, UK

Why is everyone so convinced that without Gazza we'll lose. He's old, unfit and out of form. He may have been a genius once, and may still have flashes of beauty in his game but his era is over. Time to step aside, and let Owen, Beckham and the rest get on with winning their own glory. Otherwise, why not recall Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves?
Ben Hammersley, England

Well, Hoddle seems to have made his "tough" decision and since he has been put in charge of the squad we cannot argue. But my personal opinion is that, at a point in time during the tournament, Gazza will definitely be needed to put his usual bit into the game as he has done in the past. He may be unfit now but there seems to be a couple of days left for which he could have been put under severe training. We can only wait to see the results of France 98 but I must end by reiterating that Gazza, as Hod will realise in the tournament, will have been needed.
Michael Mensah, UK

At this point in time, what is the point getting on the back of Glenn Hoddle, surely all of the country wants our national side to do well, so we should let the guys get on with the business, if Glenn Hoddle is wrong about dropping Gazza (which I think he is) then he will find out soon enough. But slamming him before the tournament begins would be premature to say the least. I have loved Gazza through everything he has done, he is a genuis and world class player, but the only opinion that counts is Glenn's. Give him the tournament to prove sceptics like me wrong, and if we get beaten early by the likes of Tunisia, etc, then fine, we should let him know what we think of his decisions then.
Neil Henry, England (Doncaster)

Yes, I think England has enough young, talented players in the final squad than to have to depend on an ageing, undisciplined and unfit past hero.
Alvin Kam, Malaysia

I personally believe that Gazza is still the best at what he does on the pitch and that is to go past opponents and unlock defences. I can understand that he's not fully fit but the same thing can also be said about the injury-prone Darren Anderton. He's just been back from a lengthy injury and played a couple of hours of premiership football.
Tokie, England

Given Gazza's form during the friendlies and his general lack of match fitness, what other decision could Hoddle make?
Mike Noble, England

Fitness is a temporary issue. Gazza would have been fit in time if that's what it really boiled down to. The fact is, you are either born a genius or you're not, and Gazza was! He doesn't even need to be 100% fit to be more valuable to us than most of the squad. We all know that he likes a drink. Don't we all? He is human you know! Yet WE don't have to face the same pressures as he does. Hoddle is jealous that Gazza has a personality and he doesn't. Get a life, Hoddle!
Mark Lunn, ENGLAND!!!

He's had his day. He's had his chance. He's had his lot!
Andy Taylor, UK

I think the press and the public have taken Paul Gascoigne's career more seriously than he did.
Tim Pearce, UK

Given his fitness, the coming off the bench argument seems to be the strongest for his inclusion in the 22. However, if he had 20 minutes to make a difference, what effect would that have on his temperament and sense of judgment? Unfortunately, you can just see lunging late tackles and desperate dribbles - each of which would play into the hands of the opposition. I think it is a great shame, and we will miss him, but on balance the team must be better off without Gazza.
Mark, UK

The most important issue is that Hoddle has been charged with taking the England football team to France to win the World Cup. He has not been asked to provide entertainment, support for Gascoigne's ego, or anything else for that matter. Hoddle needs the support of the British (English) public and he has mine. If he felt Gascoigne had to be dropped from the team - so be it. Yes, Hoddle gets my vote!
S D Rowland-Jones, UK

It is sad commentary but there is simply nobody able to step into Gazza's boots. If his supposedly being only 70% fit was the only issue then he should certainly not have been excluded. He has the ability to win a game from nowhere. Sadly David Beckham, for all his ability, is not in the same league - and anyone who watched him in recent matches will have seen the extraordinary number of his passes which went straight to the opposition. For England's sake I hope Merson get's a chance to play deeper than the role in which he was played in the first half against Belgium. My final thought on Gazza's exclusion? - the English press should be ashamed of itself for potentially costing England dearly.
Graham Paterson, USA

Hoddle was correct. Gascoigne is a disgrace to his team and to the sport in general. This is a humbling lesson in the necessity of discipline that might actually be the making of him if he takes heed.
Eamonn MacCrossan, USA

It is a sad reflection on the management style and indecisive nature of Hoddle and his huge entourage that they could not deliver a partially fit Gascoigne as a fit athlete over the four week period he has been under their control.
Maybe if Hoddle had read Venables' book on man management we would all be awaiting a final chapter in this extraordinary and talented footballer, and maybe we could have frightened a few nations with something more than fit and unspectacular footballers.
Gascoigne is different and therefore has the ability to deliver something different. A true patriot who never had the control of his boyhood emotions but a man who would have delivered at the highest level (as usual), something England have never done without him.
John Hornegold, England

What Gazza does in his spare time is of no concern to me. As far as I know Gazza never turned up to work drunk so why should he get singled out for simply doing something everyone has a right to do?
Ian McGraw, UK

Through the departure of Gazza, the English team has been reduced to an average mechanistic, German-like side without any prospects of creative entertainment.
Roald Kommedal, Norway

He must have known this was to have been have a pinnacle of his career and he blew it. It was time for him to grow up and let the "lads" go out for a beer and kebab while he concentrated on football. But the temptation was too much.
Albert Somerset, England

Some may say that Gazza can be invisible for 89½ minutes, then decide the match in 30 seconds. The logical conclusion is that if Gazza is replaced by an equally skilled player who genuinely engages himself in the game for just 5 minutes, England could win any match 10-0.
Leo De Vin, Sweden

Yes, Hoddle was right to drop him. He sets a terrible example and the fact that he was dropped gives a clear signal that individuals must be responsible for their actions no matter who they are.
Nollaig Doughan, Ireland

Great player - straddled across the dividing line of genius and madman. Not the first, nor the last.
Tom Magee, UK

I'm also depressed, but I'd like to think we've been given an opportunity to see the younger, talented players.
Mayumi, Japan

Whoever Gazza is and whatever his talent, if he is unwilling to discipline himself to get fit and play to the best of his ability, I would not want him in my tiddlywinks team.
Jim Pearman, Belgium

I think Gazza should most definitely have been included, not only for his superb skill but also for his ability to get the whole squad motivated during a match when things aren't going as they should.
Steve Lloyd, UK

You can't keep someone in just because they may produce a spark of genius, which they haven't really shown in 2 years. Especially when there are players like Beckham, Batty, Ince and Scholes, who can give consistently good performances, rather than very occasionally brilliant ones.
Jack Regan, UK

Hoddle's decided to become a Blairite moral policeman, and send out a signal to us all that, if we don't respect our bodies and souls, we will be punished. Just listen to Tony Banks' (Sports Minister) glee in the Commons, on how retribution in sport should mirror society.
Gazza's always been a drinker and a fool, but he can also offer a spark of genius at any moment. Hoddle's a fool to drop him, but becoming one of Tony Blair's moral henchmen is far more important to him...
Neil O'Connor, UK

Absolutely right! Match fitness must feature very highly on a manager's list. Team discipline and personal example are also very important. We've had too many players in recent years who, although undeniably talented, bring the game into disrepute by their conduct off, but especially on, the pitch.
Gordon Macmillan, UK

Would Brazil or Italy have fielded a player who wasn't 100% fit? I doubt it. It's no good basing decisions on the team for France '98 on the emotion generated by the scenes in the semi-final in Italia '90. You can't carry someone for 89 minutes in the hope that they might do something decisive in the remaining 1 minute.
Ian Usher, UK

I think that a reluctance to have a go at the well-liked Hoddle, combined with a certain amount of schadenfreude about Gazza finally getting his comeuppance, is clouding people's judgement here. Of course Hoddle did the 'fair' thing in binning Gazza, but was this action really in the best interests of the England team? I don't think so.
Gazza, regardless of his idiotic antics off the pitch, is our only world-class footballing brain in midfield and therefore, in my view, a special case. Taking him to France may have been a gamble, but not selecting him at all has probably removed the slender chance we had of progressing any way in the tournament. One thing that's clear from Gazza's reaction is that he never had any inkling that he might be excluded. To allow this situation to develop demonstrates woolly thinking on Hoddle's part.
Martin Watts, UK

I thought we stood a chance of winning. I'm not so sure now.
James King, UK

A lot of people are saying that Gazza was worth taking for the possible 20 seconds of magic that he could provide. But what about the damage that he could have done as he gave away the ball to some marauding Tunisian. Now the English team members know they have to get on without him.
Phil Grice, UK

Gascoigne cannot expect to be included in the England squad simply because he is Paul Gascoigne. The players must be chosen according to their CURRENT ability, and the decision must not be based on past achievements and celebrity status.
Stuart Ford, UK

Profesionalism today means giving your life to the sport, and not to beer drinking and kebab eating.
Tom Day, Mexico

I think Gazza should be proud of himself for getting into the final thirty considering the injuries and setbacks he has suffered during his career.
Sue Williams, England

I believe Hoddle has seriously damaged England's chances in the World Cup. Almost everyone (commentators, media) seems eager to criticise Gazza for any mistake, but turn a blind eye to the numerous mistakes made by other players. If Gazza "looked sadly out of touch during England's Casablanca games against Morocco and Belgium" pity help the rest of the players, because in my opinion the only highlights of the games were when Gazza had the ball.
Keith Jackman, Switzerland

If Gazza was not up to the job of playing international football for 90 minutes then Hoddle was right to do it. Gazza may be a hero, but he is passed his best when there are other "young turks" who can do the job just as well if not better.
Gary Leeson, Ireland

I think the issue is purely academic. If the English team emerge as winners or perform to the "satisfaction" of their supporters and pundits then the issue of whether Gazza should have been dropped or not wouldn't arise. But if the team performs badly or does not meet the expectations of fans and pundits then obviously the issue would arise as a logical consequence. Furthermore, football is a team game and if any member of that team is found to be a liability to the overall performance of the team or for some reason cannot or won't abide by team rules then he should be removed. Hero worshipping bordering on idolisation and "canonisation" just won't do.
SB Tan, Malaysia

You can't drop a player like Gascoigne, who may be invisible for 89 minutes, but can decide a match all alone in the 90th....
Martin Seidl, Austria

Hoddle has chosen to play safe; why make such a big risk in such an important tournament? Everyone knows what Gascoigne is capable of, but his fitness is too much of a gamble, and he no longer seems to take the responsiblity very seriously. The likes of Chris Evans & Danny Baker insulting Hoddle at every available opportunity does nothing for the confidence of the team as a whole, of which Hoddle is the driving force. Let's show some confidence in the man's decisions, and make judgments after the event.
Richard Gallagher, England!

Hoddle did the right thing. Gazza is not fit. It would have been an insult to all of the dedicated players in the squad for Gazza to have been chosen. He is not the player he was even 3 or 4 years ago.
Richard Lowe, England

Gazza is the best. At his best he plays better than Pele or Maradona could ever dream off. Hoddle kicked him out just to prove his authority. This spiteful mistake will mean England has no chance of winning. Hoddle - managing isn't a doddle.
J Mandry, UK

Hoddle did what England managers should have done years ago. When he played in Scotland he was nothing but a cheat, diving all over the place and hacking down players. He also has no self-control over his drinking and wife beating.
Sandra Hay, Scotland

The manager is always right. That is while the team is winning. If Hoddle didn't have confidence in Gascoigne or any other then he is right to leave them out. Listen to the squawks from the armchair managers when and if England come unstuck.
Wally, Australia

If Hoddle were going to pick players for sentimental reasons then Bobby Charlton and Stanley Matthews would still be playing.
A Mackintosh, UK

The only person who knows what state of fitness and performance Gazza was in at the time was Glen Hoddle and therefore he is the only person who saw the full picture and thus is right to drop Gazza as he saw fit.
Nick Holmes, UK

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