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Joey Barton Defended By Eric Joyce Over Football Violence

The Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: Updated: 16/05/2012 16:02

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Joey Barton, the QPR footballer charged with two acts of violent conduct following his sending-off during his team’s end-of-season game against Manchester City, has won support from someone equally handy at looking after himself - Falkirk MP Eric Joyce.

The controversial midfielder saw red for elbowing Carlos Tevez with the TV cameras also showing him attack Sergio Aguero in the aftermath.

Coaching staff then had to intervene and manhandle him off the pitch to prevent further confrontations with Manchester City players.

Now Joyce, who was forced to quit the Labour Party after being arrested for head-butting a fellow MP in drunken anger, has weighed in, arguing that people are making too big a fuss about it all.

"It’s nauseating, surely?" Joyce wrote on his blog, "Not Barton’s skirmish: professional football is a rough old game, but the elevation of a bit of minor violence during what most fans accept is a contact sport and where nobody got hurt, to crime of the century.

"If people want to be appalled by human violence and its consequences, they should get themselves to the Eastern Congo, where millions have died and continue to die daily at the hands of maniacs with AK47s, their wives and families raped then murdered with machetes on a daily basis.

Joyce added: "I’ll tell you what. If you never want to go and watch a couple of dozen aggressive, supremely talented and justly well-paid athletes fight for your entertainment on a football pitch, then you may have a right to carp.

"But otherwise, extrapolating moral and ethical significance from a football match looks like your life might be a bit shite."

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  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Manchester City fans in the stands with the Queen and Prince Philip face masks

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Manchester City fans in the stands with a Dare we Dream sign

  • Sunderland v Manchester United - Premier League

    SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at Stadium of Light on May 13, 2012 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

  • Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers - Premier League

    STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Owen Coyle manager of Bolton Wanderers protests to the assistant referee during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers at Britannia Stadium on May 13, 2012 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

  • Manchester City's supporters celebrates

    Manchester City's supporters celebrates after Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta scores the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or €œlive€ services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Queens Park Rangers' French striker Djib

    Queens Park Rangers' French striker Djibril Cisse celebrates scoring his goal with team-mates during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Queens Park Rangers' English midfielder

    Queens Park Rangers' English midfielder Joey Barton (2nd L) clashes with Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring the third goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Fans invade the pitch following Manchester City's win during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Sunderland v Manchester United - Stadium of Light

    Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after the final whistle during the Barclays Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland.

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Fans invade the pitch following Manchester City's win during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Sunderland v Manchester United - Stadium of Light

    Manchester United's Wayne Rooney consoles team-mate Ashley Young during the Barclays Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland.

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Manchester City's Joleon Lescott celebrates their win during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Manchester City's manager Roberto Mancini celebrates their win

  • Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers - Etihad Stadium

    Manchester City goal keeper Joe Hart celebrates as fans invade the pitch at the final whistle during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

  • Manchester United's English defender Phi

    Manchester United's English defender Phil Jones (3rd L) reacts after hearing the Manchester City score after the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Manchester United at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north-east England on May 13, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Manchester City's players and supporters

    Manchester City's players and supporters celebrate on the pitch after their 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad stadium in Manchester, north-west England on May 13, 2012. Manchester City won the game 3-2 to secure their first title since 1968. This is the first time that the Premier league title has been decided on goal-difference, Manchester City and Manchester United both finishing on 89 points. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)
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Joey Barton, the QPR footballer charged with two acts of violent conduct following his sending-off during his team’s end-of-season game against Manchester City, has won support from someone equally ...
Joey Barton, the QPR footballer charged with two acts of violent conduct following his sending-off during his team’s end-of-season game against Manchester City, has won support from someone equally ...
 
 
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Friendly Brit
17 Fans
10:26 AM on 05/17/2012
Glad to hear it, Tonzer. Nice to get some agreement, instead of the usual torrent of ignorance and abuse that usually greets an outburst of common sense!
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prajo
1 Fans
09:31 AM on 05/17/2012
I am neither a Manchester city fan nor a Queens park rangers fan, but on watching the replay of the initial incident it looked as if tevez threw himself to the ground, not instantly, but there was a slight time lag, quite right Barton should not have retaliated, but had Tevez been pulled up for a late tumble then there would not have been retaliation.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ccraiglamont
Sometimes funny, other times...not!
153 Fans
08:30 AM on 05/17/2012
Tevez had a sly kick and waved an arm dangerously close to Barton's face. Barton retaliated and his act was witnessed by the far side linesman who drew the referees attention to what he had seen. Barton then lost his temper at what he felt was an 'injustice' and we know what followed.
Take the football kit off and replace it with a 'stone island jumper, police cargo pants and timberland shoes' and anyone caught acting like that is banned from every football ground in England for 3 years!
I remember watching players in the 70's kicking lumps out of each other without any referee interference and wonder if the over reaction to what Barton did, would even have raised an eyebrow in that era?
People talk about Barton, saying he should act as a role model for kids, shouldn't it be the parents who act as the role models for their own children? Go further afield, should Rihanna be a role model for your daughter? Should Abu Qatada be a role model for muslim kids? Children should be moulded by those closest to them NOT people they see constantly on a TV screen or the internet!
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Al my arse
59 Fans
07:19 AM on 05/17/2012
When the same rules apply to everyone i will scream with delight.I'm just going to point one thing out and pick on one player.Rooney I saw this player twice this past season elbow other players.in clear sight of both referee's.The FA wen't and asked Fifa to reduce this man's ban.so he could be picked for the Euoros this summer after he kicked a player who had his back turned
to him.now he is just one I'm sure you could all name a players.sadly I could name a few.
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gasmanxxxxx
35 Fans
07:19 AM on 05/17/2012
You cant defend this man.
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Talktripe
0 Fans
07:02 AM on 05/17/2012
Neither man has much to "Commend" them.
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alanhutton4
39 Fans
05:01 AM on 05/17/2012
"If people want to be appalled by human violence and its consequences, they should get themselves to the Eastern Congo"
It`s Joyce who should be sent to the Eastern Congo.How can the people of Falkirk allow this neanderthal to stay as an MP when he continually degrades them ?
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raylehmann
19 Fans
11:39 PM on 05/16/2012
How can you possibly defend an animal like Barton ? He fouled a player off the ball, and was caught doing it. It cannot be said it was accidental as he was miles from the ball. He then lost his temper and tried to head but another player, and also assault a second. He should be barred for life, as he had no excuse what so ever. He is an animal and should be barred before he badly injures or kills someone .
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medlar
14 Fans
03:39 AM on 05/17/2012
Why wasn't he arrested? Anyone else would have been. 'Sports' authorities have regularly argued and conspired for decades to have criminal assaults on-pitch exempted from the law of the land.
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thedrainpig
25 Fans
10:44 PM on 05/16/2012
As a QPR fan of plenty more that 40 years standing, I can assure Mr Joyce, that Joey Barton has disgraced the name of our club. How Mr Joyce chooses to carry out his life is for his conscience to deal with. I will continue to hope that my club ensures that thuggish behaviour is condemned, something that Mr Joyce and his political backers might wish to consider. What is acceptable in Falkirk, or the House of Commons, is certainly not acceptable in the real World!
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gumpo
65 Fans
10:38 PM on 05/16/2012
Well with a yob like Joyce getting in to defend him, I'd say he's definitely guilty !!
How Joyce is still an M.P is ridiculous, and the people of Falkirk ought to demand he's replaced with someone who isn't going to start headbutting his constituents when they don't agree with him !!
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strudy
14 Fans
10:15 PM on 05/16/2012
What barton has done was wrong it was an over reaction that led to the sending off,the reaction on here is an over reaction, off i go then !!!!
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edmurfin
Old man, on Bonus Time:-)
132 Fans
10:06 PM on 05/16/2012
I remember when football was graced by men like Stan Mortenson, Tommy Lawton, Stan Matthews and many others, gentlemen as well as great players. They earned £20 a week and set grand examples of sportsmanship to young hopefuls. Too many modern football 'stars' are little more than nasty little undisciplined thugs in expensive tee shirts. I watched that game and was disgusted by Barton's behaviour. Football would be better off without him and his ilk.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
tracingagent
1005 Fans
10:28 PM on 05/16/2012
@edmurfin = Very well said.
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tonzer55
22 Fans
03:00 AM on 05/17/2012
hear hear
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commz
3 Fans
09:16 PM on 05/16/2012
.............mmmmm At times I carry a 9mm and a 5.56mm weapon, I am sure if used them inappropriately I would be managed appropriately! You can never justify inappropriate behaviours! People like Barton are in a very powerful position to INFLUENCE & not just the young - because anyone can buy into this sort of behaviour! Given what footballers earn in these austere times they should be squeeky clean!! My pay has been frozen for the past two years can footballers say the same? They would do well to familiarise themselves with Nolan Principles and what it is to be a regulated professional!!
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Roger47
42 Fans
08:14 PM on 05/16/2012
Hardly surprising as Joyce is a thug himself.
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