Barton in the news

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Gutierrez's Right Boot

Gutierrez's Right Boot

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Jan 25, 2011
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http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16120303

Joey Barton has defended a tweet he wrote about suicide being "selfish" in the wake of Wales football manager Gary Speed's death.

The QPR player was among famous footballers who took to Twitter to express shock and sympathy for the 42-year-old's family in the hours after he was found hanged.
But Barton, 29, also issued a tweet which angered fellow users of the micro-blogging site and left him swamped with complaints.
"Suicide is a mix of the most tragic, most selfish, most terrible (and I want to believe preventable) acts out there," he said.
"Just didn't seem at all fitting with his character but again, I am in no position to speak. I feel terrible for his kids, family and friends."

Tributes left to Gary Speed at Elland Road, the home of Leeds United

But the footballer did not apologise for the remarks - and suggested that those who were upset had not fully considered his views.
"If they read carefully or had half a brain, they'd understand," he said.
"Most of the feedback… Understand, sympathise and hope the fallout from this tragic event is as compassionate as it can be. Such a sad day."
Criticism of Barton has come from the chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, Malcolm Clarke, who said Barton's actions were "insensitive and inappropriate" and the Welsh branch of Survivors Of Bereavement By Suicide.
The controversy comes as an inquest heard Speed's body was found by his wife, Louise.

The inquest was opened and adjourned after a coroner confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the married father-of-two.
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Probably an innappropiate time to voice such views but he's entitled to do so none the less and it's a view many people probably share.
 
I have to say that I'm not particularly outraged, the way he worded it was sensitive and quite correct in my view. I personally feel that this is one of the rare occasions where a minutes silence seems more appropriate than the minutes applause, clapping a man who has just taken his own life (regardless of his contribution to football) feels odd to me, and I do wonder what his family make of it.
 
By definition, it's a selfish act. No one can really argue against that. It isn't a selfless act, is it?

It may not be a sensitive way to say it, and it may be too soon, but his view isn't morally wrong.
 
It's kinda like turning up to a mother's funeral, turning to her grieving son and saying, "back at uni I shagged that. Alright, I'd give her a 7/10."

Barton has gone down a lot in my estimation, not so much for his remark but for his refusal to apologise, even if he didn't mean to offend.
 
So have the people that voiced their opinions in the "Is suicide cowardly" went down in peoples estimations, like Barton has or other such things?

Barton's comment was badly timed, but that is all. Nothing wrong with his view.
 
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