Barton’s red card from goalie’s dad

HE fostered a hardman persona during a football career that involved numerous fights on and off the pitch.

However, Rangers flop Joey Barton has been labelled a ‘bully’ by the father of a 17-year-old girl – following comments he made about her sporting ability on social media.

Former Man City and QPR midfielder Barton lambasted the performance of Partick Thistle Women’s goalkeeper Ava Easdon after her team’s 4-1 defeat by Rangers in the Scottish Women’s Premier League Cup Final.

Easdon – who had a brief and unhappy spell with Rangers – came in for criticism on social media after Rangers’ first goal, which was shown on Sky Sports.

Sharing a clip of the goal online, Barton wrote: ‘I mean let’s just talk about the goalie! How is this nonsense on the box?’

However, Easdon’s father, Lex – a world kickboxing champion – took umbrage at Barton’s post, labelling him a ‘bully’.

He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘In 2024 and “grown” men still feel the need to belittle and bully a 17-year-old school kid, who doesn’t get paid to play. Unlike some men who make the same mistake week after week for hundreds of thousands of pounds.

‘@Joey7Barton my daughter is young enough to be your daughter and you playing up to all your young fan boys won’t go down well with your daughters when they’re old enough to see all the s **** you spout on social media. Top class role model there, mate.’

Barton’s post is his latest attack on women’s football. He has also faced criticism for jibes against women pundits, who he claimed ‘aren’t qualified’ to talk about men’s football. Barton was contacted for comment.