He’s been a man that has been in the headlines all his career for various mishaps but what are the top five headless Joey Barton moments?
Joey Barton applauds fans as he is substituted
He’s had a number of altercations with fellow proffessionals during his career, including this week at Rangers, but here are some of the most high profile incidents of Joey Barton’s career.
1. Daring to Zlatan
Joey Barton isn’t scared of the limelight and Zlatan Ibrahimovic loves it so the two were always bound to clash when they faced each other for Marseille and PSG.
Ibrahimovic was left unamused by Barton and allegedly called him an “English so and so”, which led Barton to make his infamous Pinnochio jibe at the Swedish superstar.
Paris were leading 1-0 when Barton turned his attentions to Ibrahimovic and continually gestured with his hands about the size of his honker.
Barton enjoyed a relatively successful season in France but that was the moment he was best remembered for.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring the second goal for PSG
2. Showing the moon at Goodison Park
Joey Barton is a wind up merchant in anyone’s books, even the supporters of the team he has supported throughout his life.
Barton is a die-hard Evertonian but he couldn’t resist having a cheeky joke with the Goodison Park faithful when he bared his backside at the end of a match in 2006.
3. Loses head at City
With his Queens Park Rangers side drawing 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium in their crunch final game of the season, he was sent off after appearing to elbow Carlos Tevez.
Furious with referee Mike Dean for the red card which he deemed unfair, Barton attempted to argue with the official over his decision.
Surrounded by players from both sides, Barton then kicked out at Sergio Aguero, who fell to the ground.
With tempers flaring further Barton then aimed a headbutt at City captain Vincent Kompany as he attempted to intervene in the melee.
City substitute Micah Richards raced on to the pitch to drag Barton off as he engaged in on-going rows with the City players and coaches.
Queens Park Rangers Joey Barton clashes with Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany after kicking Sergio Aguero
4. Fighting his way into trouble
Barton has shown his fiery side on a number of occasions away from match days, including a training ground bust-up with former Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo.
Many felt the pair didn’t get along due to both Barton and Dabo playing in the same position, but Barton was alleged to have gone in hard on Dabo with the Frenchman taking exception and doing the same thing a few minutes later. It later led to a full blown fight and after the altercation both players were suspended by the club.
Ousamane Dabo suffered a detached retina.
5. Punching Morton Gamst Pedersen
One of his more violent incidents on the field occurred in 2010 when he punched Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen in the stomach while he was playing for Newcastle which forced the Norwegian to fall to the ground.
The incident landed Barton in hot water and earned him a three-game suspsension.
Picture Supplied by Action Images
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