PREMIER LEAGUE MIDFIELDER and unapologetic recidivist Joey Barton could miss up to a quarter of next season following a decision by the Football Association’s decision to charge the 29-year-old with two counts of violent conduct.
Barton was tussling with Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez during Queens Park Rangers’ final game of the season yesterday afternoon when he was adjudged to have elbowed the Argentinian in the face.
The clash prompted a red card, which in turn sparked a melee, during which Barton kneed Sergio Aguero, attempted to headbutt Vincent Kompany and confronted the Manchester City bench.
The Liverpool native did little to curry favour with football authorities subsequent to his dismissal, instead using Twitter to embark on a long and colourful analysis of both his behaviour and its portrayal on BBC’s flagship football programme, Match of the Day.
The charges, confirmed by an FA spokesperson this afternoon, only relate to those incidents that took place beyond the jurisdiction of match referee Mike Dean, namely his alleged assault of Aguero and attempted assault of Kompany.
Barton has until 6pm Tuesday evening to make a formal response to the charges, each of which carries a potential five-week ban.
