Barton to be shown QPR door as players back Hughes in axing star after rage
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UPDATED:
21:57 GMT, 14 May 2012
Queens Park Rangers want to dump Joey Barton this summer after his inexplicable tantrum at the Etihad Stadium.
The Rangers skipper is facing a 10-game ban after being sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez, aiming a punch at Sergio Aguero and headbutting Vincent Kompany.
And his Loftus Road career looks as good as over after manager Mark Hughes decided Sunday’s show of indiscipline was a step too far.
However, Rangers fear Barton’s hefty 70,000-per-week wage deal will prove a huge obstacle in their attempts to off load the problematic midfielder.
Madness: Joey Barton (right) argues his point with Carlos Tevez on the floor
Hughes, together with owner Tony
Fernandes, technical director Mike Rigg and chief executive Phillip
Beard will meet on Tuesday to discuss Barton’s future.
Prior to Sunday, manager Hughes already had it in his mind to sell Barton this summer, based purely on footballing reasons.
And the rage he showed against his former club has solidified Hughes’ resolve to move Barton out of Loftus Road.
Sportsmail understands
a clutch of senior Rangers players back the decision. Several members
of the squad feel Barton is a liability to the team, with his antics
against City only underlining that feeling.
Rangers are fully aware clubs are unlikely to be queuing up to sign the former Newcastle man given his bad-boy reputation.
Barton still has three years left on
his QPR deal – leaving the club facing up to a huge 11million wage
obligation to the 29-year-old. And finding a club willing to match his
wages will be a difficult task.
Pain game: Tevez winces in agony after being struck by Barton
Row: Tevez makes his point with Barton after being elbowed
Putting together a severance package
to allow Barton to walk away from the club this summer is one option,
while it has also been suggested that the club have considered the
outburst on Sunday could be deemed serious enough to sack him for gross
misconduct.
Allowing Barton to leave on a free
transfer is also another option that is likely to be floated at
Tuesday's meeting, while the club are also expected to fine him two
weeks wages and could even strip him of the club captaincy.
The fact Barton will also be
suspended for a hefty number of games at the start of next season is
also likey to put off possible suitors.
Controversy: Sergio Aguero points the finger at Joey Barton after he floored team-mate Carlos Tevez with an elbow to the face
Marching orders: Mike Dean dismisses Barton after his moment of madness
The FA confirmed that in addition to
his red card for his clash with Tevez, Barton has also been charged with
violent conduct for the incidents involving Sergio Aguero and Vincent
Kompany.
Barton will face at least a four game
ban for his sending off – but the fact he has been charge on two
separate accounts could increase his suspension by a further six
matches.
The QPR captain has until 6pm on Tuesday to respond to the charges.
Barton has since taken to Twitter to
apologise for his violent outbursts at the Etihad Stadium, posting:
‘Right enough about yesterday, I apologise to everyone offended by it.
‘If that’s not enough for some, so be it. Life is too short.’
However, his penchant for conflict
once again reared its head on the social networking website as he
responded to criticism from Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker.
Trouble: Barton aimed a headbutt at Vincent Kompany after being sent off
Getting involved: Substitute Mario Balotelli had to be pulled away by City's coaching staff as he nearly came to blows with Barton
Dragged away: Barton is guided towards the tunnel following his moment of shame
