JOEY BARTON doesn’t pull punches – either literally or figuratively.
The Rangers star’s career has been crammed with controversy.
Here’s the best – and worst – of it.
Manchester City
Sent off in February 2004 for two bookable offences in FA Cup fourth-round tie at Spurs.
A month later he stormed out before kick-off after being axed against Southampton.
In July, criticised by boss Kevin Keegan for causing a brawl in a pre-season friendly.
Fined six weeks’ wages in December after stubbing a lit cigar in the eye of team-mate Jamie Tandy – who later sued Barton, winning £65,000.
Seven months later fined eight weeks’ wages for gross misconduct, after altercation with a 15-year-old Everton fan at the team hotel in Bangkok.
(Photo: Gavin Rodgers/Pixel)
In September 2006 dropped his shorts at Everton fans after 1-1 draw.
In December saw red for two-footed lunge on Abdoulaye Faye in defeat by Bolton.
Suspended May 2007 after a training-ground altercation with Ousmane Dabo.
NEWCASTLE
Moved to Newcastle a month later but on December 27 was arrested in home city Liverpool after incident. Charged with common assault and affray and remanded in custody.
On May 20, 2008 he was jailed for six months after admitting the charges.
Charged with assault on Dabo on July 1, 2008 and given four-month suspended jail sentence. Given 12-match FA ban and £25,000 fine.
(Photo: Action)
In May 2009 he was sent off against Liverpool for a late challenge on Xabi Alonso and later suspended by the club.
Banned again in November 2010 after he punched Blackburn’s Morten Gamst Pedersen during home defeat.
Transfer-listed after tweets criticising the club.
QPR
(Photo: BPI)
Joined August 26, 2011 on free transfer but sent off in January in defeat by Norwich.
MARSEILLE (loan)
On May 6, 2013 given a two-match suspended ban for describing Thiago Silva of PSG as looking like an “overweight ladyboy” on Twitter.
(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)