Former England and Tottenham defender Gary Mabbutt suffered a “serious accident” on the eve of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Former England and Tottenham defender Gary Mabbutt hospitalized in South Africa (Image: Getty Images)
Former England defender Gary Mabbutt has been hospitalized after suffering a “serious accident” in South Africa. A former centre-back, Mabbutt won 16 caps for the Three Lions in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The 64-year-old spent most of his playing career at Tottenham Hotspur, making 601 appearances for Spurs over nearly 16 years in north London before retiring from professional football in 1998.
Mabbutt’s close friend, former Tottenham midfielder Mickey Hazard, revealed in a Facebook post that Mabbutt had been hospitalized while in South Africa.
“Just to let everyone know, Gary Mabbutt was involved in a serious accident in South Africa and is currently in hospital awaiting treatment for a large blood clot in his calf,” Hazard said.
“He will not be allowed to fly back to the UK until the 24th at the earliest. We wish him all the best in his recovery. Mabsy, we pray that you will fight and win bigger battles than this.”
The update from Hazard on Mabbutt’s health came on the same day that England are scheduled to play Argentina in Atlanta in the World Cup semi-finals.
Mabbutt suffered a number of injuries during his playing days and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 17 while playing for Bristol Rovers.
It was in 2018 that the former England international spoke out about a bizarre incident in which his leg was eaten by a rat in South Africa.
In an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live in 2018, Mabbutt said: “My daughter is studying veterinary medicine at Cambridge University and has to look for a job in her breaks.
Gary Mabbutt won 16 caps for England during his playing days (Image: Getty Images)
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“I found a place to live in Kruger Park, South Africa, so I escorted her there and we were staying in a thatched house about 26 miles from the nearest town.
“Unfortunately, due to the injuries I sustained throughout my career and diabetes, I have very little feeling in my legs.
“Then I went to sleep, but in the middle of the night a rat came into my bedroom, climbed onto the bed and tried to bite my leg.”
He added: “I had a large hole in my toe that went all the way to the bone, and it dug into the bottom of my foot and became infected.
“I went home straight away after that, but then I was in hospital for a week. And that was, to my horror, about six weeks ago now.”
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