Joey Barton's future at Queens Park Rangers will become clearer in the next few days as the club conclude their internal investigation into his Etihad Stadium rage. The midfielder was infamously sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez, aiming a kick at Sergio Aguero and headbutting Vincent Kompany in the final day defeat against Manchester City. Barton has already been hit with a 12 game FA ban for the tantrum and he now seems certain to be punished by the club. The outcome of QPR's in-house investigation is expected to be reached by Monday - and it is understood the probe could even be resolved today. Mark Hughes wants Barton out of the club ahead of the new season and has already decided not to name him in his 23-man Premier League squad if he remains at Loftus Road. * Club officials have looked into the possibility of sacking Barton for gross misconduct - but it is understood QPR have been advised doing so could leave them in a difficult legal position. It is more likely that Barton will face a heavy fine and be stripped of the captaincy
12 weeks wages should be the minimum fine and this is what will happen a legal case would upset things all round
I would prefer to see his contract terminated. I do not want him to play for the club again, regardless.
2 weeks per offence of a sacking is about the only thing we can do, there is no inbetween. A club should be able to fine some for a duration of a suspension, say someone gets a 12 month drug ban, its a disgrace that the club would have to pay him.
Highly unlikely that if he does stay, he'll just be left to rot in the reserves. Especially on the vast sums of money he's reportedly siphoning from the club. Can see him serving his 12 match ban then this will all blow over and he'll be back in the first team, a la Tevez.
why should the club pay him when he can't work due to his own behaviour, nice work if you can get it.
Interesting. Gordon Taylor didn't seem to be too supportive of Barton when I heard him on the radio. But I suppose if he's worried about a dangerous precedent being set...
Not if there are better players available and we are doing reasonably well. he can't be named in the 25 (OR 23) man squad if he will miss over half of the games. Who do you drop in January - if the team are doing ok?
Is this a world wide ban or does it only count in the Premier League/ English Leagues? If we do end up stuck with him any chance of loaning him out for six months, which will at least keep him out of the dressing room? Dont even care if we have to pay all his wages. Always assuming there's a team mug enough to take him, of course.
Well I suppose it's subjective as to who you deem ''better''. If we get Diakite and Faurlin returns to good form then that could be our midfield sorted. But it's highly likely Barton will be needed anyway due to injuries/loss of form/suspensions(!) etc. I don't think we've seen the last of him by a long shot. If he's just used mainly as a sub/squad player (IF we sign some decent central midfielders), then he'll be off in January or next summer anyway, as I can't see being a bit part player at small time QPR agreeing with his inflated sense of self worth.
Its only an English league ban so he could play anywhere else but the ban would still be waiting if he came back. So going to Russia, China or the UAE would be perfect as theyd be the only ones whod take him if we couldnt sack him.
The heart says sack him, pay off what ever compensation he wants or come to a deal, and let him go and be the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons at another club. The head says it will be too expensive to get shot of him and we will see Barton in Hoops again. I predict that his first game back from a ban will be an away fixture and only coming on for a short stint just to break him in before he becomes a regular in the first team. I want him gone but I am not as convinced as some on here that it is a certainty.
Were stuck with him, cant sack him, cant sell him, the little worm needs to keep his head down,and repay the faith.
