Joey Barton jailed - Your thoughts this and the state of football

[Rue]

In case you haven't heard (and you must have done by now), Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been jailed for his part in a brawl in which he punched a man up to twenty times and left a sixteen year old boy with broken teeth in outside a fast food restaurant. His employers, Newcastle United are 'considering the verdict'.

Considering the verdict? At what company do you get involved in a fight in which you punch a member of the public twenty times (some of the punches thrown whilst straddling him on the floor), knock the teeth out of a kid's head get sentenced to six months imprisonment and still keep your job?

 

[DQuaN]

Joey Barton is a nasty piece of work both on and off the pitch. It has been said that he is now a much calmer person and has improved his character. I have to see it before I believe it.

In regard to his career, Newcastle paid millions of pounds for his services (I think, or was it a bosman?), and the fact of the matter is, he is a talented footballer. It is up to Newcastle whether to give him a job or not. I'm sure many other clubs wouldn't.

 

[Famine]

He's not the first active Premier League footballer sent to prison.

Lee Hughes...

 

[daan]

Not English Premiership at the time, but don't forget the original Duncan disorderly. Sent to jail after he head butted Raith Rovers' John McStay.

 

[DQuaN]

His wiki page makes interesting reading.

Barton sparked a ten-man brawl in a friendly match against Doncaster Rovers on 25 July 2004 after "hacking" at an opposition player.

The following summer, Barton was sent home from a pre-season tournament in Thailand after assaulting a 15-year-old Everton supporter[27] who had provoked Barton by verbally abusing him and kicking his shin.[28] Barton had to be restrained from attacking the boy further by teammate Richard Dunne.

Barton was fined £100,000 and suspended by City until the end of the 2006–07 season on 1 May 2007, following an incident during training when he allegedly assaulted his team mate Ousmane Dabo.[5][51] Dabo said that he had been hit several times, and had to go to hospital after suffering injuries to his head, including a suspected detached retina.

Personal and Family Life
Barton has found himself at the centre of controversy outside football. In May 2005 he broke a 35-year-old pedestrian's leg while driving his car through Liverpool city centre at 2 am. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal assault and criminal damage after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool while going to his hotel after a match on 13 March 2007. On 27 December 2007, Barton was arrested on suspicion of assault in the Church Street area of Liverpool city centre following an incident which took place at 5:30 am. He was later charged with common assault and affray, and was sentenced to six months in prison on the 20th May 2008. He was remanded in custody on December 28 since the alleged offence was committed whilst he was on bail for two prior offences; the presiding magistrate noted "I also have to consider the safety of the public - you lashed out indiscriminately".

Many people say that Barton would have been locked up a long time ago if he wasn't a footballer.

His half brother, Michael Barton, was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for his involvement in the racially motivated murder of Anthony Walker in 2005.

 

[Stevisiov]

Quite the pacifist then...

 

[Only_in_f1]

Ive had this argument when the attack happend. I think Barton is a quality player. Hes troubled. But quality. Can pass a ball, hes a box-to-box player and he has/had a big future ahead of him.

I dont think you can take anything from that Michael Barton thing. As Joey has said himself they didnt grow up together. Its another case of Football saved him when he was younger. Many footballers could have got into the 'wrong crowd.' but Barton didnt. Ok his record with his team mates isnt good. I think if he kept on the straight an narrow then he'd be a class player.

I watched his interview on 'Inside Sport' and hes not an idiot. He just seems to get these rushes of blood to the head. Im not saying what he did was right.

Even the England captain has had his troubles in the past.

 

[Famine]

Every generation has a Vinnie Jones, eh?

 

[daan]

Quite the pacifist then...

And he'll batter you if you say he isn't....