Ex-Man City star Joey Barton arrested in relation to alleged assault in Liverpool

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• Premier League

Former Premier League and England player Joey Barton is in police custody following an incident of alleged serious assault on Sunday night

(Image: Andrew Stenning/Daily Mirror)

Ex-Premier League soccer player Joey Barton, has been arrested in relation to an alleged serious assault. Barton, aged 43, was one of two individuals apprehended on suspicion of section 18 wounding after reports emerged of a man being attacked near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

Emergency services were summoned to the scene in Huyton at 9pm on Sunday. Upon arrival, Merseyside Police officers discovered a man with injuries to his face and ribs, who was subsequently taken to hospital for further care.

Two men - aged 50 and 43 - were arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding. Sources have informed the Liverpool ECHO that the younger of the two is former England international Barton.

Barton clocked up 269 appearances in the Premier League, predominantly for Newcastle and Manchester City. Post his playing career, he had a stint as manager of League One team Bristol Rovers.

Currently, Barton hosts the Common Sense with Joey Barton podcast where he delves into topics such as football, cancel culture, grooming gangs and politics.

On Sunday night, Merseyside Police set up a cordon on Fairway in the Knowsley town. The ECHO understands that the police initially removed the cordon but later reinstated it.

Merseyside Police stated: "We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday 8 March. At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

"The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs. A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man have both been arrested on suspicion of s18 wounding.

"They are both currently in custody where they will be questioned by detectives. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident."

Barton is a boyhood Everton fan and recently offered his assessment of Liverpool and in particular Mohamed Salah after a penalty incident in the win over Brighton last month.

He said: "You have to accept he cheated. If you are giving penalties for that, the game is gone. He is the world's strongest man when you are trying to get the ball from him.

"As soon as he tries to take you on, if there's a half the sniff of a penalty, he goes down. I have no doubt that Liverpool won't win a trophy this season. Not a chance."