Joey Barton threat to sue referee over red card controversy

QPR captain Joey Barton has claimed he could sue over his red card against Norwich City.

His club have confirmed they will appeal to the Football Association against Barton’s dismissal in Monday’s 2-1 home defeat.

It is understood the FA in turn is to seek observations from QPR over critical comments by director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.

Barton gave his side an early lead at Loftus Road, before being involved in a tussle with Bradley Johnson, and appearing to headbutt the Norwich midfielder. Play continued before referee Neil Swarbrick consulted his assistant nearest to the incident and produced a red card.

Barton immediately used his Twitter account to launch an impassioned defence of what he viewed as a “ridiculous decision”, claiming the match officials had been “conned”.

The 29-year-old ex-Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder yesterday wrote on Twitter: “I wonder how long it is before a football club sues a referee for making a bad decision? There’s too much at stake to not have technology. Or a player sues another player for playacting. Which is basically a lie and that is actionable. What’s the difference? Someone has to set the precedent to stop the game from being ruined. Maybe I’ll be the first one. Can players sue referees?”

On Monday, Barton claimed the officials told him at half-time they had not actually seen the alleged headbutt. The QPR captain feels a review system such as in rugby league and rugby union should be utilised by football.

“We have the best officiated game in the world on our doorstep (rugby). Why dont we stop listening to Fifa beaucrats [sic] and move our game forward? Referees would embrace all the technology available in my opinion. Game needs to move forward. Incidents like y’days would be cited and dealt with retrospectively if the officials were unclear/unsure. I also feel it would lead to respect like rugby.

“Those 3 points yesterday, could be difference between Premier League survival and not. That equates to alot [sic] of money.”

Norwich midfielder Johnson was pictured at the PDC World Darts Championship final on Monday with a placard mocking the QPR captain. It read: “Barton, your breath stinks.”

Barton responded on Twitter: “Don’t worry people I’ve seen Boris [sic] Johnson from Norwich with his sign at the darts. He’s irrelevant really, absolute no mark.”

Barton also dismissed rumours he would be looking to walk out on QPR this month, having only joined them in the summer. He added on the social networking site: “Whats this transfer request nonsense? I’ve never run from a challenge in my life, why would I start now. Absolute nonsensical – more lies.”

In his post-match press conference, QPR manager Neil Warnock claimed he held little hope of lodging a successful appeal against what would be a three-match ban for violent conduct. Nevertheless, the club yesterday confirmed a formal appeal had been submitted, and must now present supporting evidence ahead of an independent disciplinary hearing, which will convene and make a decision ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup third-round tie at MK Dons.

Television footage of the clash between Barton and Johnson initially proved inconclusive, with no real close-ups because of the position of cameras at the stadium. What was clear from the long-range pictures was that Barton clashed with Norwich defender Zak Whitbread and then Johnson in the centre circle, ahead of directly squaring up to the Canaries midfielder. Warnock branded Johnson a “disgrace” for his reaction.

It is understood that the FA have decided the post-match comments by manager Warnock do not warrant any further action. However the club could face sanction over an apparent Twitter remark – swiftly deleted – by director Emir Gnanalingam which is reported to have hit out at the referee being “biased and blind”. A fresh Twitter message has since appeared from Gnanalingam, a Malaysian businessman who joined the board in August following Tony Fernandes’ takeover, saying simply: “EPL should consider video evidence for red cards. The 4th official is there and can communicate with ref immediately.”

In September, the FA wrote to QPR owner Fernandes for Tweeting “this referee is blind” when Michael Oliver failed to award a penalty against Aston Villa despite a clear handball by defender Alan Hutton.

QPR will be contacted again in writing by the governing body for their observations over this latest transgression.