Barton says ref 'conned' as QPR crash to Norwich

03 January 2012 08:58

QPR captain Joey Barton said match officials had been 'conned' into sending him off as 10-man Rangers crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Norwich at Loftus Road.

Barton was given the fifth red card of his career during a stormy encounter between the two newly promoted teams, sent off for a clash with Bradley Johnson after earlier giving Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Johnson hit the turf clutching his face as he squared up to Barton, but the QPR midfielder insisted match officials had been duped into sending him off following his dismissal.

"Well feel for the officials, they've been conned. Admitted to me at HT they never saw it. I was pulled back 1st, then kicked 2nd!," Barton wrote on Twitter shortly after the final whistle.

"Linesman definitely never saw it, all he seen was Johnsons reaction. My head dosent move forward at all. Ridiculous decision seen 25 replays.

"I'd be 1st to apologise if I'd reacted. Cannot apologise as I know I've not head butted anyone. Disappointed for the lads and the fans.

"Make ur own minds up when u see it. The games gone!"

The defeat left QPR hovering just two points above the relegation zone in 17th place, and Neil Warnock's side have now lost five of their last six games.

Barton's dismissal swung the game in Norwich's favour, with Anthony Pilkington levelling for the Canaries three minutes from half-time.

QPR almost went back in front in the second half only for Norwich keeper John Ruddy to pull off a superb save from Adel Taarabt's free-kick.

But Norwich manager Paul Lambert's triple substitution 24 minutes from time -- Wes Hoolahan, Steve Morison, David Fox all coming on -- was to prove decisive and seven minutes from time Morison swept in the winner.

Source: AFP