Police will quiz Barton over ‘assault’

JOEY BARTON is at the centre of a police investigation over the alleged assault of Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel.

The Fleetwood Town boss and Stendel clashed in the tunnel at the end of Barnsley’s 4-2 victory at Oakwell yesterday.

Players, club officials and police apparently had to pull Barton off the Barnsley boss, who had ‘blood pouring from his face’ according to one eyewitness.

Later, Barton was filmed being prevented from leaving the car park by a club official and a South Yorkshire police officer.

The former Rangers midfielder was questioned by police and it is understood they will speak to him again this week as part of a voluntary

interview. In a statement, Barnsley said: ‘The club can confirm there was an alleged incident in the tunnel area that took place following the conclusion of today’s match, which South Yorkshire police are currently investigating.

‘The club are assisting the police with their enquiries.’

Barton, whose career as a player and now as a manager has been blighted by controversy, seemed to have ignited the ill-feeling by leaving his technical area to square up to Stendel towards the end of the League One fixture. Sources have told

Sportsmail that there was bad feeling between the pair throughout the game.

At one point, a member of Fleetwood’s coaching team stepped between the pair as things looked likely to boil over, while a yellow card was shown to a member of Barton’s staff.

At the final whistle, more words were exchanged between the managers before Stendel headed off down the tunnel, followed by Barton.

It was then that Barton allegedly assaulted the German, who required medical attention. It is thought Stendel lost teeth in the clash. Both clubs cancelled their post-match media duties in the wake of the incident.

Sky cameras then captured the incredible moment when Barton tried to leave the Oakwell car park with a driver, only for a police officer and a security guard to stop their car as it raced towards the exit.

It is understood that Barnsley had locked the car-park gates in a bid to prevent the Fleetwood boss from making a getaway.

This is 36-year-old Barton’s first year in management and it was always seen as a controversial appointment after a turbulent career playing for Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR, Marseille, Burnley and Rangers. He was also capped by England.

His playing career was marred by disciplinary problems and he was also twice convicted on charges of violence, serving part of a six-month sentence in 2008 following an assault in Liverpool.

While in prison, he was also handed a four-month suspended sentence after an assault during the previous year on his Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo during a training session.

While in charge at Fleetwood, he was fined £2,000 in January and given a two-week touchline ban for criticising match officials.