Former Blackpool footballer told police officers he had Covid before coughing in their faces

Hurst, who made two appearances for Blackpool during the 2011/12 season on loan from West Bromwich Albion, admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner towards the officers.

According to the BBC, Hurst, 28, flew into a rage in the garden of a woman's home in Glasgow in April.

A court heard the ex-Wrexham defender initially contacted the police claiming to be the victim of domestic abuse.

Hurst, who has previously been convicted of drink driving, later claimed the matter was resolved but officers then became aware of a possible outstanding warrant against him.

The ex-England youth international was arrested after swearing at officers, having also branded them "Scottish slaves".

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: "He immediately stated: 'I've got Covid. I'm going to cough and spit all over you.'

"At that point, he began to cough in the faces of both officers as they were placing handcuffs on him.

"As he did this, he shouted: 'Have that.'"

Hurst repeatedly threatened to spit on the officers and continued to hurl abuse.

He said: "You are not the law, you are civilians in uniform, Queen's country rules, you live in Scottish slums, I am superior."

He challenged an officer to a fight and repeated claims he had Covid-19.

In January of this year, non-league side Hednesford Town confirmed Hurst had left the club after requesting the cancellation of his contract to move to Scotland.

Keith Tuck, defending for Hurst, told the court the footballer had aspirations of becoming a player/manager.

He added: "He is a man who in the past has had a successful career as a professional footballer and has qualifications in football as a coach in England."

Hurst has been remanded in custody, with sentence being deferred until the end of the month for background reports.

In 2011, Hurst had been due to spend the season with the Seasiders but his loan was cut short following a lack of game time.

He featured in a 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff City in September, before playing in a 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth at Fratton Park the following week.

Both appearances came off the bench.

"West Brom weren't going to let me have him and not use him, so they called him back," Ian Holloway told The Gazette at the time.

"I couldn't do anything about that."