It would be fair to say it’s not been the best fortnight in Joey Barton’s colourful career.
First he was part of the Rangers side that got thumped 5-1 by Celtic.
Then it emerged that he was involved in a Barton-esque row with his own team-mates and even his manager Mark Warburton – something which earned him a three-week suspension from the club.
And now it has emerged he is being investigated for a breach of betting regulations.
Players, coaches, club officials and referees are banned from betting on football matches anywhere in the world, according to Scottish Football Association rules.
There are reports Barton placed a bet on the outcome of a Celtic match – purportedly their heavy Champions League defeat to Barcelona – but the SFA has said it cannot comment. Celtic lost 7-1 to Barca at the Nou Camp.
Barton has revealed, in his new book, that Celtic approached him before he penned his Rangers deal. He says he had committed to the Rangers’ project so was not tempted to cross the divide.
Some of those Celtic fans, that could have been supporting him, ended up calling police stations across Glasgow, on September 10, to report a missing person – one Joseph Barton.
Barton admits those antics do affect him.
“If you’re emotionally vulnerable it would do,” he says. “There are still days when stuff penetrates. I’m not a robot.”
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