July 1990: Bursts into tears during World Cup semi-final with West Germany after receiving a yellow card which would have ruled him out of the final.

May 1991: Lasts just 17 minutes of FA Cup final in what turns out to be his last major game for Tottenham. Makes lunging challenge on Nottingham Forest's Gary Charles, but is himself badly injured, tearing cruciate right knee ligaments. Out of the game for 16 months.

September 1991: Career appears in doubt after he has fresh surgery on his suspect knee following injuries sustained in a nightclub scuffle back home on Tyneside.

September 1992: Lasts just 45 minutes of Lazio Italian League debut after picking up a fresh knee injury.

January 1993: Provokes outrage by belching into a television microphone when asked how he feels about being dropped by his Italian club.

February 1993: Five photographers are briefly detained by Italian police after a row involving Gascoigne and his girlfriend. Produces disappointing display for England against San Marino and England manager Graham Taylor speculates that he may have a "refuelling problem".

August 1993: Reports back to Lazio after summer break in England a stone and a half overweight.

December 1993: Reports back to Rome after a Christmas break with a thigh strain suffered getting out of bed.

January 1994: Breaks rib in match against Sampdoria. Held by police after allegedly punching a press photographer in a central Roman street.

April 1994: Career in doubt again after breaks his jinxed right leg in two places while training for Lazio. Out of action for a year.

July 1994: Admits to a Sunday newspaper that he beat up and bullied girlfriend Sheryl Kyle for two years.

December 1994: Police investigate allegations that a bodyguard threatened a tourist in a London pub and stole a roll of film from his camera.

April 1995: Returns to action for Lazio.

May 1995: Signs for Glasgow Rangers in £4.3 million deal.

July 1995: Row after Gascoigne plays an imaginary flute after scoring for Rangers. Seen as provocative sectarian gesture in divided city.

September 1995: Returns for England, after 18-month absence, against Colombia.

January 1996: Gascoigne warned by police after an incident in an Indian restaurant in home town of Gateshead.

February 1996: Sheryl gives birth to boy, Regan. Gascoigne reportedly goes drinking in London at same time as she is going into labour and is hundreds of miles away in the North-East at the time of the birth.

April 1996: Crowned Scottish Player of the Year by his fellow professionals. Hat-trick against Aberdeen makes Rangers champions for eighth time.

May 1996: Takes part in England players' drinking session in Hong Kong to celebrate his 29th birthday. Said to be involved in causing damage to Cathay Pacific plane bringing England back from Far East tour.

June 1996: Stars for England in Euro '96, scoring great goal against Scotland on the way as they reach semi-finals before losing to Germany on penalties.

October 1996: Attacks wife Sheryl in Gleneagles Hotel leaving her with a cut and bruised face, and her arm in a sling. Sent off for Rangers against Ajax in the Champions' League 4-1 defeat in Amsterdam. He later tells a press conference: "I'm a disgrace."

March 1997: Runs into more criticism from club manager Walter Smith after some well-publicised nights out in London.

May 1997: Returns from injury to guide Rangers to a record-equalling ninth League title and welcomed back into England fold for the summer.

July 1997: Signs new three-year deal with Rangers.

September 1997: Wins rave reviews for man-of-match display in home 4-0 World Cup win over Moldova.

November 1997: Sent off for violent conduct against Celtic after clash with Morten Wieghorst.

January 1998: Disciplined by Rangers after being caught on camera mimicking a flute player in a sectarian gesture during the Old Firm match at Celtic Park.

March 1998: Given a "very severe warning" for his flute-playing mime by the Scottish Football Association.

Joins Middlesbrough in £3 million deal and plays in 2-0 Coca-Cola Cup final defeat by Chelsea.

May 1998: England boss Glenn Hoddle expresses his disappointment after Gascoigne is pictured eating a kebab in the early hours after a night out with showbiz pal Chris Evans.

Disappointing World Cup warmup campaign ends with him being left out of Glenn Hoddle's squad.