Surprise! Joey Barton in another Bust-up

By: Bob | May 1st, 2007

Before we all convict Joey Barton in the court of public opinion of being the wrongdoer in a training ground fight with Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo that has led to his suspension for the rest of the season today, let’s think about his line of defense in the matter. His agent says it was nothing you wouldn’t see at training grounds all over England and that the suspension is a result of him being Joey Barton. Fair enough. So who is Joey Barton?

He has played in 129 games for Manchester City since 2001. He got into a dispute at a team Christmas party and poked a cigar in a junior player’s eye. He has scored 15 goals. He was sent home early from a pre-season tournament in Thailand after becoming involved in a fight with an Everton fan. He has one England cap under his belt. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in March after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool. He is warm and friendly towards fans. He has paid more than £120,000 in club fines and has been forced to attend anger management classes by his team.

Indeed, it is hard to imagine why anyone could possibly jump to the conclusion that Joey Barton could be held responsible for sending Ousman Dabo to the hospital with mouth injuries. Think they’ll give Manchester City a refund for those anger management classes?