Joey Barton back at Burnley and in the last-chance saloon | Barry Glendenning Read moreIn a lengthy statement posted on his website Barton said: “The decision effectively forces me into an early retirement from playing football. “Having consulted with my friends and lawyers, I have decided I will be appealing against the length of the ban. In May 2012 Barton was banned for 12 matches for violent conduct when playing for Queens Park Rangers. “Throughout my career I am someone who has made mistakes and owned up to those mistakes and tried to learn from them,” Barton said in his statement. We welcome Joey’s statement and hope his openness will be seen as an example others feel they can follow.

Source: The Guardian April 26, 2017 12:14 UTC