Soccer balls in the goal. Photo credit: Stevendepolo http://flic.kr/p/6Hc3VN
The background
Queens Park Rangers controversial captain has spent much time on micro-blogging website Twitter attempting to distance himself from his violent past (both on and off the pitch) and convince his followers that he is a new man who has confronted his demons. But Barton’s painstaking Twitter-assisted rebranding of his image blew up pretty spectacularly yesterday when he completely and utterly lost his rag during his side’s crunch game at Manchester City, his old club. Sunday night then saw Barton launch an expletive-laden attack on his former manager at Newcastle and current BBC Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer. Barton then went toe-to-toe with ex-England striker Gary Lineker in a nasty Monday morning Twitter row.
Shearers still on my case…”I know I f*cked up Alan, thanks for stating the obvious.”
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 13, 2012
@GaryLineker now back under your stone you odious little toad… — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 14, 2012
The reaction
Given Barton’s affection to Twitter, it seems only right that we bring you the best Twitter responses to Barton’s Manchester meltdown and subsequent Twitter beefing with Shearer, Lineker and others.
It has just been announced that Joey Barton will be an unlockable character in the next Mortal Kombat game.
— Stupid Football (@StupidFootball) May 14, 2012
Presumably whoever captains QPR for the first few games of next season will keep the job? Hughes can’t give Barton the armband back. — Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JPBIndy) May 14, 2012
Lest we forget Joey Barton’s actions versus #AFC in the first game of the season when still at #NUFC. His season was bookended in disgrace. — James Dall (@JamesDallESPN) May 14, 2012
Elbow Tevez, knee Aguero and headbutt Kompany. Joey Barton performs a lovely hat-trick.
— Football Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) May 14, 2012
Joey Barton is not misunderstood. Everybody understands he’s a cheating, odious scumbag.
— David Raybould (@daveraybould) May 14, 2012
Joey Barton claims to be a pacifist? Really? Joey is to pacifism what John Terry is to celibacy…
— News Thump (@newsthump) May 13, 2012
Can’t get enough of Joey Barton? Here’s The Periscope Post guide to Barton’s five biggest on-the-pitch meltdowns.
