Mark Viduka has revealed that Joey Barton sat down when the former Newcastle United striker told his team-mate to shut up after he 'had a go' at interim boss Alan Shearer in 2009.
Shearer took charge of his boyhood club for the final eight games of the campaign as the Magpies battled to stay up, but Barton ultimately only ended up playing 77 minutes of football under the Newcastle legend.
Barton missed Shearer's first four games through injury before the midfielder got himself sent off against Liverpool at Anfield in his fifth match in the dugout after a reckless tackle on Xabi Alonso.
READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes shows class after correcting reporter on Newcastle claim
Newcastle were 3-0 down and Shearer was planning to take Barton off before the boyhood Everton supporter lost his head.
Barton had not forgotten that Alonso had escaped punishment for a stray elbow earlier in the game and ended up receiving a red card, himself, from referee Phil Dowd following a two-footed challenge by the corner flag.
As a result, Barton was banned for the final three games of the season - albeit Newcastle ended up suspending the midfielder regardless - and Shearer delivered a few home truths in the away dressing room after that Liverpool defeat.
In response, Barton swore at Shearer and questioned the manager's methods in front of his team-mates and club staff before Viduka stepped in.
‘I thought Joey was in the wrong, way in the wrong," Viduka told the Daily Mail. "He got sent off for no reason and Alan had a go at him. Joey went back and, that’s Joey, he kept going.
"I said to him, 'Joey, shut the f--- up and sit down, take it'. He was out of order and he knew it so he sat down."
We want to hear your thoughts on this story, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
