Barton in the clear
21 Feb 2007 - 07:19:27
Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton will not be punished by the Football Association for alleged incidents at the end of the recent Premiership clash at Portsmouth's Fratton Park.
Barton's tackle on Pompey's Pedro Mendes during the game led to the Portuguese midfielder being stretchered from the pitch, but the 24-year-old was also said to have made offensive gestures towards home fans.
However, the FA, who had been contacted Hampshire Police after they had issued a statement suggesting something "of concern" had occurred at the end of the match, have decided that there is not enough evidence to charge the England international.
An FA spokesman confirmed: "From the investigations we have made and the information received there is not enough evidence to proceed with any action against Joey Barton."
Barton was only booked by referee Mike Dean for the challenge on Mendes which led Pompey boss Harry Redknapp to suggest that anybody who thought the tackle was an accident 'needs their head looking at2.
The veteran manager has since been charged by the FA for verbally abusing a match official.