Former Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has gone on trial accused of attacking ex-Hearts manager Daniel Stendel.
The pair clashed when in charge of Fleetwood Town and Barnsley respectively after a 4-2 defeat for Barton’s side.
Barton is accused of having chased Stendel down the tunnel before shoving the german, causing him to tumble into the side wall.
Barton denies the charge of assault.
Prosecutor Ian Golsack explained that needle had been developing between the two bosses over the course of the game, although had originally stemmed from a previous meeting between the teams that season, after which Barton’s handshake was seen as “inflammatory” by Stendel.
Mr Goldsack said, Mr Barton was "still very worked up" and used some foul language towards Mr Stendel, which he "did not fully understand but realised he was being insulted". As players and staff left the pitch, Mr Goldsack said, the defendant ran past a number of people and entered the tunnel behind Mr Stendel.
"Mr Stendel felt a push from behind and fell forward, hitting his face against that tunnel structure. He was knocked to the ground and when he looked up he saw the defendant passing him," he said.
"He believed him to be responsible for what happened."
Photos of Stendel’s injuries were shown to the jury, which included a dislodged tooth and nerve damage.
Footage of Barton running down the tunnel after Stendel and it subsequently shaking was also shown.
Mr Godsack said that it must be determined: "whether Mr Stendel fell forwards in that tunnel area, colliding with the tunnel structure and thereby sustaining those injuries, as the result of an unlawful assault and, if he did, whether it was Mr Barton who is responsible for that assault".
Stendel is set to give evidence from Germany via video link today. He is now manager of French club Nancy a year after leaving Hearts.
Barton is currently manager of Bristol Rovers and was suspended just months after arriving in the Scottish Premiership before having his contract terminated back in 2016.
