‘JOEY... YOU ARE STILL A BAD ’UN’
Fans blast faker Barton
PREMIER League footballer Joey Barton has been slammed by fellow stars and fans for trying to get an opposing player sent off.
His Burnley side suffered a giant-killing shock in the FA Cup when nonleague Lincoln City scored a last-minute winner on Saturday.
But in the second half Barton appeared to fake injury after deliberately running into the arm of forward Matt Rhead.
The controversial midfielder went down clutching his face, sparking an angry reaction from both sets of players.
Now he has been branded a hypocrite after Twitter users dug up a post from 2013 in which he called for any player who faked an injury on the pitch to get a ban. Barton said at the time: “Players who roll around when nobody touches them should be subsequently banned. I hate cheats. Authorities should address it.”
On Saturday he was forced to defend his “disgraceful” actions after being on the receiving end of abuse.
Boxer Carl Frampton tweeted: “Joey Barton should be embarrassed and ashamed when he sees this.” BT Sports presenter Jake Humphries said: “Really Joey?”
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey called for him to be banned, citing an earlier stamp as well.
Fans joined in, with David Burton tweeting: “Joey Barton an embarrassment to football.”
Kloppholic said: “Joey Barton is a disgrace.”
Defending himself, Barton later denied he was trying to get 16-stone Rhead, 28, sent off.
He said: “Wasn’t trying to get the Big Man sent off. I was trying to get back in front of him.
“Tried to duck under his arm and he moved it back and hit me on the head. Contact is part of the game, no problem with that.
“Unlike their player saying he was kicked on the floor and also the one who jumped and held his face as if he’d been struck.
“But that wouldn’t make a good story would it.
“Fair play to Lincoln. Good luck to them in the next round.”
It’s not the first time the Liverpudlian has created controversy with his actions both on and off the field.
He was recently banned for making bets on football matches and in 2008 he was sent to prison for common assault and affray.