Soccer star Paul Merson revealed last night that his gambling problems have returned but denied he was betting tens of thousands of pounds a day.
The Walsall player-manager has fought a 20-year addiction to alcohol, drugs and betting that have driven him to the brink of suicide.
The former England and Arsenal player, aged 36, has reportedly been losing up to £200,000 a month on events like Euro 2004 and Wimbledon, and even baseball and basketball.
But the ex-international star said his problem was "under control".
In a statement, he said: "Regarding the story printed in one of the Sunday papers, I have to admit that I regressed into gambling during the summer.
"I now have this situation back under control. I do have to say that some of the figures leaked from my account with the bookmaker Stan James are total fabrication or have been hugely exaggerated for effect.
"I am now taking legal advice on this matter."
In the 1989-90 season at Arsenal, Merson was banned from Highbury for two weeks amid reports of drinking and gambling debts.
In November 1994, he confessed he had a cocaine habit. He entered an addiction unit and was released six weeks later.
Last year Merson confessed he had kicked the drink and drugs problems but was still haunted by gambling.
He went to America earlier this year to undergo a programme of treatment and rehabilitation for his addictions. Paul Merson
web page
The Walsall player-manager has fought a 20-year addiction to alcohol, drugs and betting that have driven him to the brink of suicide.
The former England and Arsenal player, aged 36, has reportedly been losing up to £200,000 a month on events like Euro 2004 and Wimbledon, and even baseball and basketball.
But the ex-international star said his problem was "under control".
In a statement, he said: "Regarding the story printed in one of the Sunday papers, I have to admit that I regressed into gambling during the summer.
"I now have this situation back under control. I do have to say that some of the figures leaked from my account with the bookmaker Stan James are total fabrication or have been hugely exaggerated for effect.
"I am now taking legal advice on this matter."
In the 1989-90 season at Arsenal, Merson was banned from Highbury for two weeks amid reports of drinking and gambling debts.
In November 1994, he confessed he had a cocaine habit. He entered an addiction unit and was released six weeks later.
Last year Merson confessed he had kicked the drink and drugs problems but was still haunted by gambling.
He went to America earlier this year to undergo a programme of treatment and rehabilitation for his addictions. Paul Merson
web page
