Joey Barton has been arrested on suspicion of wounding after an altercation at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in Merseyside. The former Manchester City and England midfielder was in custody this morning following the incident.
One man was taken to hospital with injuries to his face and ribs as emergency services were called to the scene on Sunday, with Barton one of two men to be arrested. It’s not the first time Barton has been arrested after a physical altercation, most notably pleading guilty to assaulting ex-teammate Ousmane Dabo.
Merseyside Police Issue Joey Barton Statement
Merseyside police issued an update on the situation, claiming the victim had been attacked by two men, who are both now in custody. Barton was one of them. The statement read (per Mail Sport):
“We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday 8 March.
“At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.”
“The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs. A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man have both been arrested on suspicion of s18 wounding,” the police summary continued.
Questioning will now take place to find out the facts of the incident: “They are both currently in custody where they will be questioned by detectives. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.”
The 28-year-old has proven many of his doubters wrong, and Barton can now be added to that list.
Barton Received Suspended Sentence in 2025
The 43-year-old retired footballer is currently serving a suspended sentence after a series of social media posts about TV presenter Jeremy Vine, as well as football pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko.
A trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard that Barton had ‘crossed the line between free speech and a crime’ as he compared Ward and Aluko to serial killers, Fred and Rose West. He also called Vine a ‘bike n****’.
As well as being handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Barton was given 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and ordered to pay more than £20,000 in costs. Speaking to the BBC after leaving court in December 2025, he expressed his regret, saying:
“If I could turn back the clock I would. I never meant to hurt anyone. It was a joke that got out of hand. Nobody wants to go to jail.”
Yan Diomande’s early coach Faissal Chehade explains why Liverpool could be the perfect fit, and why his ceiling may be Ballon d’Or level.
Chehade, who worked with Diomande at Leganés, reveals on Market Madness what stood out from the very beginning: the confidence, the one-v-one ability, the training-ground moments that made coaches take notice, and the mentality behind his rise from rejection across Europe to becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
He also breaks down why Leipzig was the right step, why Liverpool could give Diomande the platform to become “the main man,” and why he believes the winger has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Chapters:
0:09 — Yan Diomande’s First Coach Reveals the Talent
2:07 — The Training Goal That Made Everyone Stop
3:36 — Why Yan Diomande Was Rejected Across Europe
4:21 — Why Leipzig Was the Perfect Move for Diomande
4:55 — Why Liverpool Could Be Yan Diomande’s Perfect Fit
8:02 — Yan Diomande’s Ballon d’Or Ceiling Explained
It looks as though a banned European nation is set for a return to FIFA competition, with reports suggesting they’ll be allowed to compete at an international tournament as soon as October.
The ban, which has run for more than four years, has kept senior, youth and women’s sides out of competitive matches, including the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, as well as the 2024 Euros.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously hinted at softening his stance, and it now appears children’s football could provide the route back into the fold, starting with a new under-15 competition this autumn.
Gianni Infantino Pushes For Russia’s Reintroduction
Infantino has been vocal about wanting Russia back involved, arguing the suspension has done more harm than good. Speaking earlier this year, he said:
“We have to, because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred. Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”
That stance appears to be translating into action, with reports indicating Russia and Belarus are among the nations set to feature at FIFA’s inaugural under-15 World Cup and Festival, running from October 22nd to the 31st, in Azerbaijan.
FIFA confirmed all 211 member associations have been invited, stating: “The first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member associations; the second installment in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only. From 2028 onwards, all member associations will be invited to participate with both their boys’ and girls’ U-15 teams in two separate competitions.”
A Symbolic Tournament for Gianni Infantino
The event has taken on added significance for Infantino, who’s also pushed for Israel and Palestine to meet in a symbolic opening fixture. After an attempted handshake between officials from both nations fell flat in April, Infantino referenced the same tournament while appealing for unity:
“We have a beautiful under-15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that. Let’s work together. You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
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Whether Russia’s inclusion goes further than football at junior level is something that hasn’t yet been addressed, but the door appears to be opening.
Pele was an extraordinary footballer. He made his senior debut for Brazil at just 16 years old and marked the occasion with a goal against Argentina. Only a year later, he netted twice in a World Cup final, helping Brazil secure World Cup success.
Pele spent the majority of his club career with Santos in Brazil before later joining American outfit New York Cosmos. As a result, he never featured for a European club. However, that did not stop him from following football on the continent.
Indeed, he once identified a Scottish football legend as the only British player he believed was good enough to represent the Brazil national team.
When he passed away at the age of 85 in January 2025, tributes poured in from across the football world. Among those leading the condolences was legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Trying to place Denis in the pantheon of all-time greats is a challenge.
“But it is made easier by Pele. He was asked if there was a British player who could get in the [great] Brazil team. He said Denis Law – which is a fantastic tribute.”
“He was a fantastic player and an incredible human being. The great thing is that he did not use his fame, he was so level-headed and down to earth, and we are talking about a guy who had all of these caps for Scotland and is called the ‘King of Old Trafford’.”
It was certainly a fitting tribute from two football icons to a truly exceptional player.
Pele Also Rated English Defender Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore 1966 World Cup
Law was not the only British football great admired by Pele. The Brazilian also had immense respect for England’s World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore. He said:
“It’s hard to say. You see, whoever I played against, I had the best defender marking me, but the best were Bobby Moore and Franz Beckenbauer.”
He later added: “Bob was the best centre-back I’ve seen – so quick up here [points to his head].”
It’s unfortunate that British supporters did not get the opportunity to watch more of Pele in person. Nevertheless, when he arrived in England for the 1966 World Cup, he was already the most famous footballer on the planet, allowing local fans to witness his brilliance first-hand. Unfortunately, injuries limited his impact, and Brazil exited the competition in the first round after playing only three matches.
