Newcastle tell Joey Barton he can leave for free

Updated: 5.48pm

NEWCASTLE UNITED HAVE placed midfielder Joey Barton on the transfer list and told him he can leave on a free transfer.

In a short statement on the club website, they explained: “Newcastle United can confirm that Joey Barton has been placed on the transfer list today. The player has been advised that he can leave the club on a free transfer.”

Barton later hit out at the club, writing,: “Somewhere in those high echelons of NUFC, they have decided, I am persona non grata. I am on a free but the honour of wearing those B+W stripes, surpasses that.

“One day the board might realise, what the shirt signifies. HONOUR and PRIDE. Thanks for your continued support……….. #toonarmy.”

Earlier, Barton informed those on Twitter that he’d make an announcement at 4pm.

The controversial, one-time England man has earned followers through his humour, twitpics with Morrissey and philosophy lessons on the social networking site.

The Liverpudlian yesterday tweeted a series of fairly cryptic messages in which he alluded to problems behind the scenes at St James’ Park. Barton initially wrote yesterday: “If only we as players could tell the fans exactly how it is, without them above fining us lots of money. There will be a time and a place.”

He referred to team-mate Jose Enrique’s recent fine for critical tweeting: “If it wouldn’t effect team morale and cause unrest within the dressing room, am certain Jose’s comments would be the tip of the iceberg…..

“If I wanted to leave, I’d just come out and say ‘I want to leave’. Things need addressing as am not prepared to go through a relegation again.”

This afternoon he added: “I wont be commenting on situation at Newcastle again, as I feel it helps nobody and serves no purpose. Hope u all understand,” but then added, a mere 30 minutes later: “I will be making an announcement regarding my future, on here at 4pm today……..”

Barton has just a year left on his Newcastle contract but claimed recently he had no interest in a move elsewhere.

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August 1

AFL
The Melbourne Football Club has been rocked this week with the dismissal of coach Dean Bailey following the side’s humiliating 233-47 point defeat to Geelong at the weekend. The 186 point losing margin was the second highest in AFL history with the Cats kicking 37 goals in all.
Speaking at a press conference in Melbourne on Monday, Bailey effectively admitted to ‘tanking’ during his tenure, a tactic which involves losing games on purpose so as to secure a high pick in the following year’s youth player draft.
“I had no hesitation in the first two years putting the club in a position for draft picks,” he said.
“I believe what we’ve done is right for the club and if it cost me my job, so be it.”
Melbourne claimed two number one draft picks, Jack Watts in 2008 and Tom Scully in 2009, as a result of finishing bottom of the ladder, while also taking Jack Trengove at number two in 2009 with a priority pick gained from winning four or fewer games two years in a row.
The Dees currently sit 11th on the ladder, a game and a half outside a finals spot in the top eight, while Geelong remain joint top alongside Collingwood, though the Magpies currently have a better percentage.
This week’s Mark of the Year contender came courtesy of Port Adelaide’s Jay Schultz who took a great grab (1) in the defeat to city rivals Adelaide Crows, while West Coast’s Mark LeCras kicked a superb goal (2) from close to the boundary against the Western Bulldogs.

NRL
Monday night’s big NRL game between the Parramatta Eels and the Melbourne Storm saw the latter stage a remarkable comeback (1) from 18-0 down to claim a 22-18 win. The Eels looked set for victory having kept their opponents scoreless with 26 minutes remaining; however tries from Sisa Waqa, Billy Slater, Justin O’Neill and Dane Nielsen left the Sydney crowd stunned. The Storm now sit four points ahead of the Manly Sea Eagles at the top of the table with five rounds of the regular season remaining.
It was a weekend for comebacks as on Sunday the South Sydney Rabbitohs overturned a 20-0 deficit to beat the St. George Illawarra Dragons 34-20 at WIN Stadium. Dylan Farrell helped himself to hattrick to overshadow a great first half performance by Rabbitohs’ retiring centre Mark Gasnier who had a hand in three of his side’s tries.
In the rest of the Round 21 games there were wins for the Roosters, Cowboys Broncos, Tigers, Cowboys, Warriors and Knights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Jv1EyuO8Y

Soccer
There was sadness in the Australian soccer community this week with the news that underage star and West Ham youth academy player Dylan Tombides (1) has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. The 17 year old was a key member of the side which recently took part in the FIFA under 17 World Cup in Mexico.
“Dylan is receiving the best possible care. All the doctors involved have advised Dylan that he will make a full recovery in terms of his illness and his ability to return to his football career,” said West Ham club doctor Sean Howlett.
Tombides isn’t the first Australian player to be diagnosed with the disease with former Socceroos centre half Craig Moore making a full recovery having first discovered symptoms two and a half years ago.
“I spoke to Dylan not long after the diagnosis and my message was that he should stay extremely positive,” said Moore.
“The success rates in treating this form of the disease are very high and I’m fortunate that I have the all clear. It’s tough for a teenager to deal with this, but Dylan has plenty of support from family and friends and I will be among many people who’ll be there for him throughout this time.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WiS4mPkXG8