Barton's Reputation Goes Before Him!
Last updated : 11 November 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Barton made (how shall we put it) a 'dodgy tackle' on Sunderland's Dickson Etuhu in the Tyne/Wear derby, leaving his stud marks on the Mackem's nuts.
Just the thing to spark an angry response from the Sunderland players and fans. But ... come on ... what's a 'kick in the nuts' amongst friends?
On a serious note, Barton is now facing the wrath of the Football Association for his actions.
It is another blow to the Toon midfielder, who is currently bailed to appear at Manchester Crown Court on November 22 charged with assaulting his former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
The tackle came on the stroke of half-time and the pair squared up nose to nose, then Barton made an angry response to the referee and his two linesmen as they walked off.
But referee Martin Atkinson took no action, so the FA's disciplinary committee will have to view the footage of the incident tomorrow and decide if they will follo it up.
Sunderland, and manager Roy Keane, to their credit, played down the incident.
But Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce says his new signing is a marked man.
Allardyce: "There were a lot of things that went on in the game, but Joey Barton's reputation goes before him so he's the one player who is questioned.
"But it [the tackle] is not good, and he shouldn't do it."
Barton's fight with Dabo six months ago at City's training ground cost him a £100,000 club fine.
He came close to being sacked by City when, at the club's 2004 Christmas party, he drunkenly stubbed a lit cigar in the eye of trainee player Jamie Tandy.
The following July, he was sent home from City's pre-season tour to Thailand and fined eight weeks' wages after a scuffle with an Everton fan at the team's hotel.
City captain Richard Dunne was injured during the altercation. Then 13 months ago, Barton was fined £2,000 by the FA for 'mooning' when City played at Everton.
In March this year, he was arrested on criminal assault and criminal damage after an alleged row with a taxi driver.