JOEY BARTON WILL not be allowed to play in a charity football match to aid the victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster because it would breach his FA ban.

Barton’s 18-month ban for betting offences was reduced on appeal by nearly five months yesterday.

But he revealed on Friday that he will not be allowed play in the all-star fundraiser on 2 September because the game is sanctioned by the FA.

“(The FA) have decided my ban extends to helping a great cause,” Barton posted on Twitter.

“So unfortunately, unless someone engages their brain, I won’t make it.”

#Game4Grenfell was launched yesterday to aid the victims of the tragic fire, with ex-footballers like Alan Shearer, Ally McCoist and Les Ferdinand joined by a host of musicians, actors and other celebrities for the game at Loftus Road.

Barton posted a screenshot of a message from one of the game’s organisers:

Joey,

Thank you so much for your generous offer to play in the GAME4GRENFELL. Unfortunately, the game is to be an FA sanctioned game, and to that end they have informed me that you will not be allowed to play in it due to your current ban. I just wanted to say that I am personally very sad about this and I am also incredibly grateful to you for the generous offer of your time – particularly on your birthday.

I am truly sorry that this hasn’t worked out as I was really looking forward to having you there. It would also be great if we could keep this confidential as the match hasn’t launched yet.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

‘At that level even the warm-ups are intense. I had to mark Zaha in training and keeping up with him was a problem’