QPR's Joey Barton Receives 12 Match Ban
QPR captain also lands £75,000 fine for his behaviour in the game against Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League campaign.
Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton has been given a 12-match suspension and a £75,000 fine for his behaviour in the game against Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League campaign. Referee Mike Dean showed Barton a red card after the QPR captain elbowed Manchester Citys striker Carlos Tevez. The incident alone meant that the midfielder would receive a four-match ban due to this being his second red card in the 2011/12 season. Barton was then seen kicking Sergio Aguero and later attempting to head-butting Vincent Kompany, an allegation which he later denied. War of Words
The former Newcastle and Man City midfielder was adamant that it wasnt a red card offence after claiming Tevez throw the first punch. Barton admitted on Twitter after the game that he took matters into his own hands and in his eyes he tried to even the situation.
He later added to his Twitter account a QPR's team-mate suggested he try to even the score: The head was never gone at any stage, once I'd been sent off, one of our players suggested I should try to take 1 of theirs with me... Things happen on the pitch, in the heat of battle sometimes. Not how we always plan them to happen.Before the game that would decide the Premier League title, Barton made it clear that Queens Park Rangers wouldn't be an easy game for Manchester City. It seems Joey's determination and his well known anger problems on the field got the better of him, he was wanting to create a great battle on the field. It is just a shame it had to amount to violence.