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Joey Barton ban: PFA offers support to QPR midfielder

24th May 2012

Joey Barton will be offered professional support, says Professional Footballers' Association chairman Clarke Carlisle.

The QPR midfielder, 29, was handed a 12-match ban for his sending off on the final day of the Premier League season.

"We as a union are there for all of our members as long as they show a willingness to address their behaviour," said Carlisle.

"Should Joey want our support we most definitely will be there for him."

Barton was charged with violent conduct on Wednesday after he was involved in an incident with Carlos Tevez during QPR's 3-2 defeat to Manchester City.

He was given a four-match ban for that offence but clashes with Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany after he had been dismissed resulted in a further eight-match suspension.

It was the latest in a number of indiscretions involving Barton.

He was twice fined by former club Manchester City for stubbing a lit cigar in the eye of young team-mate Jamie Tandy at a Christmas party - and for his involvement in an altercation with a 15-year-old Everton fan at City's team hotel in Bangkok during a pre-season tour.

While playing for Newcastle, Barton was charged with common assault and affray and jailed for six months. He was also banned by the Football Association in November 2010 after he punched Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen during Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at St James' Park.

Though Carlisle was keen to highlight Barton's attempts to control his anger, he conceded there is still some way to go.

"Joey has done some fantastic work with regards to his anger management over the years," he said.

"We have seen him make great strides as a person and the way he does conduct himself 95% of the time, but when you have a reputation it is the times that you lose it that comes to the fore.

"It is not Joey Barton per se that is the problem it is the actions he does when he loses control. It is something he has been working very hard to get on top of but obviously there is still work to do.

"It is when Joey sees the red mist and it is these things we need to get a control of because it sets a poor example to the thousands of kids who are watching the game.

"We really want our professionals to have the highest levels of respect for one and other and control themselves and their actions, both on and off the pitch. This is something we are trying to press forward into the players - a consciousness of their responsibilities."

Meanwhile, Paul Finney, from the Independent Rs QPR website, believes Barton should donate some of his wages to charity to compensate not playing for 12 games.

"A 12-game ban does seem a bit harsh, but I'm not going to defend him because we have children following the club," said Finney.

"One thing Joey can do to begin the healing process is donate some of his wages to charity when he's not playing."

source: www.bbc.co.uk

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