Major Controversies Surrounding Joey Barton: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Joey Barton.

Joey Barton is an English football manager and former player, primarily a midfielder. He played extensively in the Premier League, notably with Manchester City, making 269 appearances. Most recently, he managed Bristol Rovers in League One.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: First Red Card

During an FA Cup match against Tottenham in 2003, Joey Barton received the first red card of his career for arguing with the referee at half-time.

July 2004: Caused ten-man brawl

On 25 July 2004, Joey Barton sparked a ten-man brawl in a friendly match against Doncaster Rovers after "hacking" at an opposition player.

December 2004: Christmas party incident

In December 2004, Joey Barton stubbed out a lit cigar in youth player Jamie Tandy's eye during Manchester City's Christmas party and was fined six weeks' wages.

2004: Cigar Incident with Jamie Tandy

In 2004, Joey Barton stubbed out a lit cigar in Jamie Tandy's eye while Tandy was a youth player at Manchester City, leading to a civil claim in 2008.

May 2005: Broke pedestrian's leg while driving

In May 2005, Joey Barton broke a 35-year-old pedestrian's leg while driving his car through Liverpool city centre at 2 am.

2005: Brother Sentenced for Murder

In 2005, Joey Barton's brother, Michael Barton, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the racially motivated murder of Anthony Walker. Joey appealed for his brother to come forward and help with the police investigation.

September 2006: Exposed backside to Everton fans

On 30 September 2006, Joey Barton exposed his backside to Everton fans after Manchester City's injury-time equaliser in a match at Goodison Park and was later fined £2,000.

December 2006: Second Red Card

In December 2006, Joey Barton received the second red card of his career, for a late two-footed tackle on Bolton Wanderers player Abdoulaye Faye.

2006: Criticized Players Releasing Autobiographies After 2006 FIFA World Cup

Joey Barton criticized members of the England squad for releasing autobiographies after an unimpressive 2006 FIFA World Cup, suggesting they had "cashed in" on the national team's lack of success.

February 2007: First Call-Up to England Squad

In February 2007, Joey Barton received his first call-up to the full England squad for a friendly match against Spain, despite his criticism of England squad members who had released autobiographies after the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

March 2007: Arrested on Suspicion of Assault and Criminal Damage

In March 2007, Joey Barton was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage following an altercation with a taxi driver in Liverpool.

March 2007: Arrested on Suspicion of Assault

On 13 March 2007, Joey Barton was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool.

April 2007: Criticized City's performances

On 22 April 2007, Joey Barton publicly criticised Manchester City's performances during the 2006-07 season and described some of the players as "substandard".

May 2007: Assault on Teammate Ousmane Dabo

In May 2007, Joey Barton assaulted his teammate Ousmane Dabo during a training session, leaving Dabo unconscious and hospitalised with head injuries. Subsequently, on 16 May 2007, Barton was arrested and charged with assault.

May 2007: Fined and Suspended for Assaulting Dabo

On 1 May 2007, Joey Barton was fined £100,000 and suspended by Manchester City for assaulting teammate Ousmane Dabo during training.

December 2007: Arrested on suspicion of assault

In December 2007, Joey Barton was arrested on suspicion of assault in Liverpool city centre after an early morning incident. He was later remanded in custody because he was already on bail for two prior offenses.

December 2007: Arrested on Suspicion of Assault in Liverpool

In December 2007, Joey Barton was arrested on suspicion of assault in Liverpool city centre after punching a man and attacking a teenage boy. He was denied bail due to previous arrests.

May 2008: Sentenced to six months in jail

In May 2008, Joey Barton was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty for his involvement in the assault that occurred in December 2007.

May 2008: Sentenced to Jail for Assault

In May 2008, Joey Barton was sentenced to six months in jail for the December 2007 assault in Liverpool city centre. His cousin and brother also received suspended sentences for their involvement.

May 2008: Sentenced to Imprisonment

On 20 May 2008, Joey Barton was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for common assault and affray during an incident in Liverpool city centre.

July 2008: Sentenced for Assault on Ousmane Dabo

In July 2008, Joey Barton was sentenced to a four-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours of community service, and ordered to pay £3,000 compensation and Dabo's court costs for the assault on Ousmane Dabo.

July 2008: Sentenced for Dabo Assault

On 1 July 2008, Joey Barton was sentenced to a four-month suspended prison sentence plus 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay £3,000 compensation and Dabo's court costs for assaulting Ousmane Dabo.

August 2008: Jamie Tandy Pursues Civil Claim

In August 2008, Jamie Tandy pursued a civil claim against Joey Barton for stubbing out a lit cigar in his eye in 2004.

August 2008: Return to playing action

In August 2008, Joey Barton returned to playing action as a substitute during Newcastle's defeat to Arsenal, six days before his FA hearing. He was involved in an incident with Samir Nasri during the match.

September 2008: FA Ban for Violent Conduct

On 1 September 2008, Joey Barton was banned for six matches, with a further six-match ban suspended for two years, and fined £25,000 by the FA for violent conduct against Ousmane Dabo.

May 2009: Suspended by Newcastle United

In May 2009, Joey Barton was suspended indefinitely by Newcastle United after being sent off in a match against Liverpool and a subsequent dressing room confrontation with Alan Shearer. His future at the club was put in doubt.

November 2009: Agreed to Pay Tandy in Out-of-Court Settlement

In November 2009, Joey Barton agreed to pay Jamie Tandy £65,000 as part of an out-of-court settlement regarding the cigar incident in 2004.

August 2010: Physical confrontation with Karl Henry

In August 2010, Joey Barton, while at Newcastle, had a physical confrontation with Karl Henry, accusing Henry of 'trying to hurt people'.

December 2010: Charged with violent conduct

In December 2010, Joey Barton was charged with violent conduct by the FA for punching Morten Gamst Pedersen in the chest during a match against Blackburn. He later accepted the charge and was banned for three matches.

February 2011: Involved in altercation with Abou Diaby

In February 2011, Joey Barton scored two penalties against Arsenal as Newcastle drew 4-4. He was involved in an altercation with Abou Diaby, which led to a red card for Diaby.

2011: Violent conduct charges

In 2011, Joey Barton was charged with violent conduct three times by The Football Association.

January 2012: Red card for head-butting Bradley Johnson

In January 2012, Joey Barton scored a goal but was later given a straight red card for head-butting Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson during QPR's match against Norwich City.

June 2012: Arrested After Nightclub Fight

In June 2012, Joey Barton was arrested alongside three other men after a fight outside a nightclub in Liverpool. He claimed he had been "sucker punched" during the incident.

May 2013: Suspended ban for comments about Thiago Silva

In May 2013, Joey Barton received a suspended ban for describing Thiago Silva on Twitter as looking like an "overweight ladyboy". He avoided a more severe punishment due to evidence presented about his views on homophobia.

December 2013: Sent off in match against Leicester City

In December 2013, Joey Barton was sent off in QPR's defeat to Leicester City, receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.

May 2014: Appeared on Question Time

On May 29, 2014, Joey Barton appeared on the BBC's Question Time and made controversial comments about the UK Independence Party, prompting an on-air apology.

February 2015: Received red card against Hull City

In February 2015, Joey Barton received a red card in a match against Hull City after swinging at Tom Huddlestone's groin.

September 2016: Charged with Gambling Violations

In October 2016, Joey Barton was charged with breaking rules relating to gambling on football matches. He was accused by the Scottish Football Association of placing 44 bets on matches between 1 July and 15 September 2016.

September 2016: Suspended by Rangers

In September 2016, Joey Barton was suspended by Rangers following a training ground argument with Andy Halliday.

October 2016: Charged with Gambling Violations

In October 2016, Joey Barton was charged with breaking rules relating to gambling on football matches by the Scottish Football Association.

November 2016: Received Ban for Gambling

In November 2016, Joey Barton received a one match ban from the Scottish Football Association for breaking the rules on gambling on football matches.

December 2016: Charged with Misconduct for Betting

In December 2016, Joey Barton was charged with misconduct by the Football Association for placing 1,260 bets over the past 10 years.

April 2017: Banned From Football

In April 2017, Joey Barton was banned from football after admitting a Football Association charge relating to betting.

April 2017: Received 18-Month Ban

On April 26, 2017, Joey Barton received an 18-month ban from football after admitting a Football Association charge in relation to betting.

July 2017: Ban Reduced on Appeal

On July 27, 2017, Joey Barton had his football ban reduced by almost five months on appeal.

April 2019: Investigation Launched into Alleged Assault on Daniel Stendel

In April 2019, South Yorkshire Police launched an investigation after Joey Barton was alleged to have assaulted opposition manager Daniel Stendel following a game between Fleetwood Town and Barnsley.

April 2019: Police Investigation Launched

On April 13, 2019, following a 4–2 away defeat to Barnsley, South Yorkshire Police launched an investigation after Joey Barton allegedly assaulted opposition manager Daniel Stendel in the tunnel.

July 2019: Charged with Assault

In July 2019, Joey Barton was charged with causing actual bodily harm and bailed until October 9, 2019. He pleaded not guilty.

July 2019: Charged with Causing Actual Bodily Harm

In July 2019, Joey Barton was charged with causing actual bodily harm related to the alleged assault on Daniel Stendel and was bailed until October 2019.

October 2019: Bailed until October 2019

Joey Barton was bailed until October 2019 after being charged with causing actual bodily harm.

October 2019: Pleaded Not Guilty to Assault Charge

Joey Barton was bailed until October 9, 2019 and pleaded not guilty after being charged with causing actual bodily harm in July 2019.

November 2019: Appeared at Sheffield Crown Court

On November 6, 2019, Joey Barton appeared at Sheffield Crown Court, pleading not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. A provisional trial date was set for June 1, 2020.

June 2020: Trial Date Set for Assault Charge

A provisional trial date was set for June 1, 2020, for the assault charge against Joey Barton at Sheffield Crown Court.

June 2021: Alleged Assault in Kew, London

In June 2021, an alleged assault took place in Kew, London, leading to Joey Barton being charged with assault by beating in July 2021.

July 2021: Charged with Assault by Beating of a Woman

In July 2021, Joey Barton was charged with the assault by beating of a woman at an address in Kew, London, which allegedly occurred in June 2021.

October 2021: Criticism and Apology for Holocaust Comments

In October 2021, Joey Barton's Rovers suffered a 3–1 defeat to Swindon Town, and he was later criticised for comparing his team's poor performance in a 3–1 defeat to Newport County to a holocaust. He apologised the following week.

December 2021: Cleared of Assaulting Daniel Stendel

On December 6, 2021, Joey Barton was cleared of assaulting Daniel Stendel.

March 2022: Court Heard Allegations of Assault on Wife

In March 2022, a court heard that Joey Barton was accused of kicking his wife in the head and grabbing her throat while drunk, with the case being adjourned to 23 June due to late arrival of emails.

January 2024: Controversial Comments on ITV Pundits

In January 2024, Joey Barton referred to Eniola Aluko and Lucy Ward as "the Fred and Rose West of football commentary", prompting condemnation from ITV.

April 2024: Investigation into Communications Act Offences

In April 2024, Cheshire Police announced it was investigating Joey Barton after "reports of offences under the Communications Act".

July 2024: Charged with Malicious Communications

In July 2024, Joey Barton was charged with making malicious communications related to tweets he made concerning Eniola Aluko between 1 and 18 January 2024. The tweets likened Aluko and Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West.

December 2024: Charged with Malicious Communication

In December 2024, Joey Barton was additionally charged with malicious communication relating to social media posts referring to Jeremy Vine and Lucy Ward.

March 2025: Found Guilty of Assault and Handed Suspended Sentence

In March 2025, Joey Barton was found guilty of assault and handed a 12-week suspended prison sentence.

April 2025: Aluko Wins First Stage of Libel Claim

In April 2025, Eniola Aluko won the first stage of a High Court libel claim against Joey Barton after he posted comments suggesting her private education made her a "hypocrite" and that her late father had been financially corrupt.