Joey Barton remanded in custody as golf club assault trial delayed until 2027

Former Premier League and Championship player Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after appearing in court over allegations that he assaulted a former non-league football manager at a golf club.

The ex-England international, who enjoyed a controversial playing career and earned one cap for his country in 2007, is facing a charge of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm relating to an alleged incident in March 2026.

Barton denies the allegation. His trial had been expected to take place this week, but proceedings have now been postponed until March 2027.

The former midfielder could remain behind bars until then unless the court grants him bail.

Barton faces serious allegations over golf club incident

Barton appeared at court in Liverpool alongside another man in connection with an alleged attack at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

The alleged victim is Kevin Lynch, who previously managed non-league side Prescot Cables.

According to reports, Lynch required hospital treatment following the incident after suffering injuries to his face and ribs. He has also reportedly been warned that he could lose the sight in one of his eyes.

Barton has pleaded not guilty to the charge and continues to deny any wrongdoing.

The latest case adds another chapter to the former footballer’s long-running history of legal problems, many of which have involved allegations of violent behaviour.

Barton has a lengthy history of legal trouble

Barton has been involved in a number of criminal and civil cases dating back almost two decades.

In March 2007, he was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage following an incident in Liverpool. Those allegations were eventually dropped.

However, Barton was involved in another incident just weeks later when he assaulted Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo. Dabo was left unconscious and required hospital treatment for head injuries, including a suspected detached retina.

Barton received a four-month suspended prison sentence for that offence in July 2008.

By then, he had already been convicted of another assault. An incident dating from late 2007 eventually resulted in Barton receiving a six-month prison sentence in May 2008. The Football Association subsequently handed him a 12-match suspension.

His legal difficulties continued after his playing career.

In 2021, Barton was charged with assault by beating following an allegation involving a woman in London. Although the initial case collapsed, a prosecution appeal resulted in him being convicted and handed a 12-week suspended prison sentence.

Later that year, Barton was cleared of assaulting Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel following a tunnel incident after a match involving Fleetwood Town, who Barton was managing at the time.

Social media disputes have also landed Barton in court

Barton has also faced legal consequences over comments made on social media.

He was found liable for libel over remarks concerning broadcaster Jeremy Vine. After repeating the comments following the original ruling, Barton was ordered to pay a further £35,000 in addition to the £75,000 he had already been ordered to pay.

His social media activity also became the subject of a separate legal battle with former England international Eni Aluko.

Aluko successfully sued Barton for libel at the High Court in March 2026, with the court awarding her £339,000 in damages. Barton was also ordered to cover her legal costs.

He was unable to attend that hearing because he was already dealing with the proceedings surrounding the alleged golf club attack.

Barton’s football career has taken a different path since retirement

Barton won promotion from the Championship on three occasions during his playing career and represented clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United, QPR, Burnley and Marseille.

He later moved into management, taking charge of Fleetwood Town before spending two years as manager of Bristol Rovers between 2021 and 2023.

Since leaving Bristol Rovers, Barton has increasingly concentrated on media work.

However, his latest court case means the former midfielder is once again at the centre of a serious legal matter, with the outcome of the golf club allegations now unlikely to be determined until 2027.