Barton Suspended By Newcastle.

[Bert]

Midfielder Joey Barton has been suspended by Newcastle.

Barton was sent off for a lunging tackle on Xabi Alonso in the defeat at Liverpool on Sunday - a challenge boss Alan Shearer described as "stupid".

And a newspaper report has since suggested the 26-year-old was involved in a row with Shearer after the game.

A Magpies statement said: "Joey Barton has been suspended from the club until further notice. The club will be making no further comment at this time."

Barton's red card means he would have missed Newcastle's final three games of the season because of an automatic Football Association ban.

Sunday's appearance was his first since 28 January following an injury.

It was only the ninth time Barton, who has had a troubled career both on and off the pitch, has played this season.

Shearer, whose side are battling to avoid relegation, was clearly angry after Barton's dismissal.

"I wasn't happy, I was bitterly disappointed at the way that happened," Shearer told BBC Sport following the game.

"I asked him to stay calm in the heat of the battle but it was a stupid tackle and he deserved to be sent off."

Barton, who has played once for England, was a controversial figure at Manchester City before joining Newcastle for £5.8m in 2007.

He has since started just 26 matches for the Tyneside club.

In July last year, Barton received a four-month suspended sentence for assaulting Ousmane Dabo in a training-ground incident while both players were at City.

Barton was banned by the FA for 12 matches - six of which were suspended - and fined £25,000 after admitting a violent conduct charge in relation to the Dabo incident.

[Koke]

What's the point in Newcastle doing this? We've seen worse tackles this season. And Shearer is 10x dirtier cunt that Barton is. That is all.

Edit: I suppose they will treat Kevin Nolan the same way, considering he nearly broke Anichebe's leg into pieces.

[Manwell Pablo]

If you look at it he actually gets the ball, takes Alonso clean out as well granted and it's a lunge and a half but it aint that bad a tackle in the grand scheme of things.

[lou]

Maybe theres other stuff behind the scenes? He perhaps disrupts the dressing room or training sessions? Maybe he has an attitude? Who knows... personally if I never see him on a football pitch again it would be too soon!

Low life

[Milky]

He wasn't suspended for the red card.

[Matt]

Apparently (According to SSN) its not due to the tackle on Saturday.

Joey Barton is a quality footballer, As a footballer I really like him, but when his tempers flair (Which is quite easy to make happen) on the pitch he's a ****head, and as a person he's a twat aswell.

[breadandcheese]

Joey Barton is a grade A c*ck.

It was a dangeous lunge and a clear red card, from a player allowing his frustration to complete cloud his judgement. Alonso was in a meaningless part of the pitch, well away from danger, yet he chose to go in completely over the top.

The upshot of this is that he's now suspended for all the remaining games of the season, which let's be honest are the biggest games in newcastle's history. Newcastle are in massive financial problems, so if they go down (which I hope they do), they'll be in accute danger of doing a Leeds, Southampton, us, etc. Barton has now effectively ruled himself out of this, letting everyone down (once again).

He deserves his suspension.

[lou]

Suspended for rowing with Shearer after the game.

Incidentally he cost £5.8 mill and has started 26 games..... thats £223,076.93 per game!!

Money well spent eh?

[Dr The Singh]

What a moron..................the guys has talent but can't control his behaviour or actions, making him useless and a burden..........he's the last thing a relegation battle needs!!!

[Maybes]

Joey Barton shouldn't be allowed to play football.

He is a complete thug.

[The Blur]

In my opinon, we shouldn't waste another thread on him

End of

[Joe.]

Just doesn't know when to quit does he? He's had more than the one chance to redeem himself, and it's hardly surprising to see him mess it up again.

[Koke]

If Gerrard made that tackle, he would get a yellow max - and maybe a pad on the back.

Barton is not a dirty footballer on the pitch.

[Corky]

He has some quality about his play. Problem is, he won't cut out the other stuff.

I wonder who'll take a chance on him in the summer?

[Darkzzz_]

I don't think he is a great player, he has talent but hasn't shown it nowhere near enough as he should have. Although saying that, I guess he has spent more time behind bars/in bars than he has on the football pitch.

[Koke]

He has some quality about his play. Problem is, he won't cut out the other stuff.

I wonder who'll take a chance on him in the summer?

Fat Sam. He would fit right in at Blackburn.

If he was available to us, I'd take him in without second thoughts.

[Darkzzz_]

Fat Sam. He would fit right in at Blackburn.

If he was available to us, I'd take him in without second thoughts.

Can you imagine him and Diouf on a night out together?

Now that would be something.

[lookwhaticando]

If he doesn't sort himself out, he will most probably end up playing for a team like us.

If that's not warning enough, he'll never get back on the straight and narrow.

[Koke]

Can you imagine him and Diouf on a night out together?

Now that would be something.

One would spit in your face and the other would proceed to stub his cigarette in your eye. Fascinating.

[Darkzzz_]

One would spit in your face and the other would proceed to stub his cigarette in your eye. Fascinating.

Cigar stubbing is so Hollywood.

[Finnegan]

I can understand Shearer's frustration. It might not have been the world's worst tackle but it was still sort of silly and wreckless given their situation.

I thought I read that he was in trouble for what happened in the dressing room afterwards, a row with Shearer? I might be wrong I think I was reading Metro.

[C-man]

Fat Sam. He would fit right in at Blackburn.

If he was available to us, I'd take him in without second thoughts.

So he could disrupt our terrific team spirit? No thanks.

[Koke]

So he could disrupt our terrific team spirit? No thanks.

All his troubles was during his Manchester City era. Ever since he has joined Newcastle I can't recall him acting like a cunt off the field. Granted, he hasn't played much this season due to suspensions and jail time, but I think he has matured. I know I'm in the minority in this [along with Uncle Albert].

Every little thing he does will be picked up by the media and milked to death, blowing everything out of proportion, to a point where I actually sympathize with him.

[Dr The Singh]

All his troubles was during his Manchester City era. Ever since he has joined Newcastle I can't recall him acting like a cunt off the field. Granted, he hasn't played much this season due to suspensions and jail time, but I think he has matured. I know I'm in the minority in this [along with Uncle Albert].

Every little thing he does will be picked up by the media and milked to death, blowing everything out of proportion, to a point where I actually sympathize with him.

Barton has issues, he can't control himself on the pitch....there's a fine line between agression and plain stupidity, and far too often he shows the latter!!

Unlike a footy pitch he can lock himself in his own house, get smashed and vent his aggression in his home, and keep his stupidity and violence at home out of the public eye!!!

Too much baggage comes with him, also.............yet I think there would be enough interest from many prem clubs!!

[Corky]

All his troubles was during his Manchester City era. Ever since he has joined Newcastle I can't recall him acting like a cunt off the field.

He had an altercation with someone in Liverpool city centre in December 2007, after he'd joined Newcastle.