Cathay Pacific yesterday instructed its lawyers to seek compensation for alleged drunken vandalism by Paul Gascoigne on a flight from Hong Kong to London.
Reports have emerged of more trouble on the plane carrying the England football squad home from their Far East tour on Monday night.
There are claims that a drunken Gascoigne tried to barge his way into the cockpit but was restrained by cabin crew. A stewardess was said to have been particularly upset by his behaviour.
The airline wants the Football Association to pick up the $60,000 bill for two smashed TV screens and a broken meal tray in the upper deck of the Boeing 747 where the 27-strong squad were seated. Gascoigne allegedly kicked the TV screens during boozy birthday celebrations.
Players had been out the night before at The Jump bar in Causeway Bay, where Gascoigne knocked back tequila while strapped into a dentist's chair. He ripped teammates' shirts before leaving bare-chested at 2 am.
British newspapers have given wide coverage to the scandal, which has further tarnished the image of English football. There have been calls for England to pull out of next weekend's Euro 96 tournament, which it is hosting.
