Football: Joey Barton's troubled career

Joey Barton earns the first red card of his career against Tottenham Hotspur in 2004 Photograph: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport

While playing for Manchester City in 2006, Barton spits at Everton fans and later bares his backside. He was later fined £2,000 by the FA Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images

Manchester City's Ousmane Dabo leaves Stretford police station in May 2007 after making a complaint about team-mate Barton following a training-ground fight Photograph: Manchester Evening News

In July 2008 Barton was released from HM Prison Manchester after serving 74 days of a six-month sentence for beating up a teenager in Liverpool city centre the previous December Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

Barton grapples with Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor during their Premier League game in November 2008, during which Barton flicked his lower lip to suggest Agbonlahor was acting like a baby. The FA cleared Barton of allegations he also flicked out a hand at the Villa forward Photograph: Craig Brough/AFP

Barton appeals to the referee as he is sent off for a reckless foul on Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso last weekend Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP

Newcastle manager Alan Shearer was allegedly involved in a row with Barton after the game. The Magpies have since suspended the player from the club 'until further notice' Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images