Given the black humour of the terraces it would not be a surprise if some Newcastle fans are intent on singing “He’s fat, he’s round, he punches people to the ground, Joey Barton, Joey Barton.� when following their side in the Premier League next season.
But it is indicative of the strength of feeling which the controversial midfielder provokes that others will hope the only black and white stripes they see the Scouser wearing in the future is his prison uniform.
It is important we do not trivialise what Barton has done, even on a light-hearted blog like this. He has, according to the judge who sentenced him to six months in prison on Tuesday, committed a “violent and cowardly act.�
He has, in a drunken rage, punched someone to the ground, sat on them and repeatedly punched them in the face. Having finished his own street impression of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he walked away and, moments later, punched a 16-year-old boy so hard in the face, the blow broke his teeth. I am told the crystal clear CCTV footage which prompted Barton to enter a guilty plea is absolutely shocking.
Without sitting too primly on the moral high ground, how would you feel if that teenager was your son, little brother, cousin or family friend? If Barton was not a footballer, just ask yourself for a second, would you let him continue to work for you, or would you want to work with him knowing what he had done?
It is the sort of mindless, drunken thuggery which shames this nation every weekend of the year. It is why this nation is despised in holiday resorts all over the world and it is why Chelsea and Manchester United fans will be locked in alcohol free holding pens before Wednesday night’s Champions League Final in Moscow.
Barton is a product of that culture, he just also happens to be a half decent footballer. We turned a blind eye to Paul Gascoigne’s problems for years because he could play a bit and look what state he’s in now. Barton is receiving help from the Sporting Chances clinic, but he was already receiving help when he decided to go on the rampage in Liverpool.
Some people simply cannot handle their drink and Barton is one of them. Does that make him a victim? A victim of society, of his environment, of his addiction to alcohol, a victim who deserves another chance at redemption?
Maybe it does, but does Barton deserve that chance as a Newcastle United footballer who earns more than £60,000-a-week for the privilege? In my opinion, he does not.
It’s not like this is a first offence, he has had plenty of chances before and, lest we forget, this is a 25-year-old who is also awaiting trial for allegedly assaulting his former Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo.
To put what Barton has done into some sort of context, Eric Cantona was given 200 hours of community service for drop kicking a fan who was racially abusing him from the stands in 1995 and banned for nine months by the Football Association.
In contrast, although Barton will deservedly spend time behind bars for his attack, with good behaviour, his six month sentence will be reduced and he could be playing again for Newcastle in time for pre-season - unless his contract is terminated.
It is undoubtedly a complex decision for manager Kevin Keegan and chairman Chris Mort. Barton cost the club £5.8m, after a dreadful start to his Newcastle career - frustration which played its part in those horrific events of December 27 - he became an important part of the team’s revival under Keegan.
Keegan will feel he has to show loyalty to a member of his squad. Newcastle’s manager sent a letter to the court praising Barton’s character since he became United’s manager again in January. But, does that mean we should forgive and forget, sweep everything under the carpet and hope a vital lesson has been learnt by one of football’s most troubled souls?
Significantly, Newcastle are also looking to trim the wage bill this summer and Barton is one of the top earners. Why would you pay someone while they are in jail and why would you want to when he has dragged the club’s name through the mud with his actions?
At the moment, the club are, in public, keeping their thoughts to themselves, but what do you think Newcastle should do?
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