Joey Barton BANNED for start of next season after tunnel and changing room meltdown against Sheff Weds
JOEY BARTON has been handed a three game ground ban after being charged by the FA for improper conduct.
The Bristol Rovers manager was slapped with the punishment after his behaviour against Sheffield Wednesday last month.
Barton was sent off from the touchline during the game and admitted that his behaviour after his dismissal was "improper".
The fiery 40-year-old was found to have used abusive and insulting language towards a match official in the tunnel and changing room.
He will now miss Rovers' first three games next season.
The League 1 gaffer has also been fined £3,000 for his misconduct.
Gas lost 2-1 to promotion chasing Sheffield Wednesday in April and Barton had taken issue with officials during the game.
He and his coaching staff were left furious when, 2-1 down, John Marquis had a goal chalked off for offside.
Bristol Rovers coaches viewed pitch-side monitors and disagreed with the assistant referee's decision.
After the game Barton said: "You are reliant on the officials to get major decisions right and, unfortunately, tonight the linesman has had a guess, as they do at the level.
"I was worried when I saw that referee, every time I get him he does something barmy, that ref. I’m not really putting that on his toes, the linesman has only got one job to do and it’s disappointing when they guess."
Barton has done an outstanding job at the Memorial Stadium since taking over in February 2021.
He first saved the club from relegation and then got them promoted in dramatic fashion on the final day last season.
The ex-midfielder also led the side to a safe mid-table finish this campaign.
Barton had a reputation during his playing career for never being far from trouble.
While he has enjoyed a less controversial stint as a manager, he has occasionally made headlines for the wrong reasons.
The former Newcastle midfielder had to apologise in 2021 after an ill-judged reference to the Holocaust as he described his team's performance.
The boss also raised eyebrows last summer for his scathing assessment of his own players.