Former professional footballer turned podcast host Joey Barton has been taken into custody in connection with a suspected serious assault. Barton, aged 43, was apprehended alongside another individual on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm after reports emerged of an individual being assaulted near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene in Huyton on Sunday evening at 9 pm. Upon arrival, Merseyside Police officers discovered a man with facial and rib injuries, who was subsequently transported to a medical facility for further care.
Law enforcement officials detained two men, aged 50 and 43, in relation to the suspected assault. Sources have indicated that the younger of the pair is believed to be Barton, a native of Huyton.
During his professional football career, Barton amassed 269 appearances in the Premier League, with 130 of those for Manchester City. Following his retirement from playing, he ventured into management at League One’s Bristol Rovers.
Currently, Barton hosts the podcast “Common Sense with Joey Barton,” where he explores topics such as football, cancel culture, grooming gangs, and politics.
Merseyside Police established a cordon on Fairway in the town of Knowsley on Sunday night, temporarily removing it before reinstating the cordon.
In a statement, Merseyside Police confirmed the arrests, stating, “We can confirm that two individuals have been arrested following an alleged assault in Huyton on Sunday, March 8th. Upon receiving reports of an assault near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club around 9 pm, emergency services were dispatched to Fairway.”
“The victim was taken to a hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained to the face and ribs. Both a 50-year-old and a 43-year-old man have been detained on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. They are currently under police custody and will be interrogated by detectives as the investigation progresses.”