Joey Barton has criticised the Football Association after he was denied permission to play in the charity match to raise funds for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire under the terms of his ban for breaching betting rules.
Barton’s 18-month ban for placing bets on 1,260 football matches was reduced to 13 months on Thursday, meaning he will be free to play again on 1 June 2018. However, the former Manchester City, Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley player revealed his frustration after receiving confirmation from the governing body that the terms of his suspension preclude him from taking part in the Game 4 Grenfell at QPR’s Loftus Road ground on 2 September.
“I would have loved to be supporting the #Game4Grenfell at Loftus Road on 02.09.17,” tweeted Barton. “...but @FA have decided my ban extends to helping a great cause. So unfortunately, unless someone engages their brain, I won’t make it.”
The message featured a reply from the charity match’s organisers expressing their disappointment that he will be unable to take part.
“Thank you so much for your generous offer to play in the Game4Grenfell,” it read. “Unfortunately the game is to be an FA sanctioned game and to that end they have informed me that you will not be allowed to play in it due to your current ban. I just wanted to say that I am personally very sad about this and I am also incredibly grateful to you for the generous offer of your time - particularly on your birthday.”
...but @FA have decided my ban extends to helping a great cause. So unfortunately, unless someone engages their brain, I won't make it. pic.twitter.com/AmDu7gOYw3
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 28, 2017
A number of former Premier League stars including Alan Shearer, David Seaman and Paul Merson are already confirmed for the match, with tickets available from the Game 4 Grenfell website.
Barton is without a club having been released by Burnley, who said his departure was brought about by “obvious reasons” given he will miss the whole of the upcoming season. The FA’s appeal board said it found the initial ban “excessive”, with Barton’s appeal having mentioned how a longer ban would effectively end his career.
