Breaking news today that Joey Barton will be freed from the Manchester jail where he has been serving a 6 months jail sentence.
Joey Barton - freed from jail today
Newcastle United bad boy and sometime footballer Joey Barton is set to walk free from prison today.
According to national newspaper reports coming out, some red tape held up his release by 24 hours, but he will soon be released from jail.
How he can get off so early - he’s served around 8 weeks of his 6 month sentence - after only recently having been given a 4 months suspended sentence imposed on him over the Dabo affair, is simply beyond us.
Apparently Barton, 25, was due out yesterday, but reports claim that parole chiefs had failed to sign off on his paperwork and were late in fitting his electronic tag in time.
The player has been held at Strangeways jail, in Manchester, and served just eight weeks of a six-month sentence for beating up two strangers outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Liverpool on 27th December.
But he’s a professional footballer and famous, so we guess that qualifies him to get off early :(Â Â (sarcasm).
This is important for the Newcastle club, because we expect him to almost immediately meet with a Newcastle delegation and his agent Willie McKay, to sort out finally what happens next for the midfielder.
There is a definite possibility that Barton will be sacked by the club, although the fans seems to be fairly evenly split over the affair, with around 60% of our readers wanting him to be fired.
Our own personal view on this, is that the club should sack Joey, because the odds of him continuing to do these acts is just too high.
This is breaking news - so that’s all we have right now.
62 responses so far ↓
1 Will Camp // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:34
let him rot in there. dirty b**tard
2 The real big AL // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:35
Out of jail and into the job centre i hope
3 Davies // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:37
Not for me thanks. Let’s have a replacement who won’t attack anybody.
4 Nev // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:37
thats how crap our countrys judicial system is, serve a 1/3 of ya time and get relased on “good behaviour”.
Barton at pre-season monday morning?
5 reillers // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:39
That’s so typical. You’ve got people like him, “famous” wee lads, who’ve done something, been proven guilty, got a light sentence of 6 months, and he serves 8 weeks of it, when you see people arrested all the time for things that they’ve never done.
If that was any of us, we’d still be sitting in a jail cell, with probably a much longer sentence then 6 months, with 4 suspended.
6 Ben_BKK // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:39
“Newcastle United bad boy and sometime footballer Joey Barton”
Classic, Ed
7 WIGAZ // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:40
Well lets hope we sign two this week & then we sack him! he’s not fit to wear the shirt! everyone is intitled to a second chance but this must be this lads 4th or 5th! he’s bad news & we’re better rid! Barton out Inler in along with evans & Larsson! 1 thug gone 3 promising young players with expereince in!
8 MAG PIE // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:41
not the new face we were hoping for today but remember 8 days ago (i think) wasn’t all the bad news about Barton’s sentencing followed by the Spiderman ? Watching official site very closely between 1pm and 6pm today!
9 Leo // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:41
lucky git
i guess he looses his holiday though lmao
maybe he will be stronger on one foot because of the deadweight of having the monitor attached to his ankle
10 Kris // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:42
This is a real tricky situation because of the lack of players we currently have,i personally dont rate or like joey as a player and sacking him would probly be the right thing todo,anybody with a violent past and bad attitude will always disrupt the rest of the team,it will be a strange feeling for the rest of the squad to be around this guy he could explode any second !!!!!
11 gorskino10 // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:42
He is a sometime footballer i just feel Newcastle UTD will get the backlash from the “Barton Case” as other clubs will be booing him and maybe our team for this it could have a very bad effect to moral of the whole team, and i dont think hes worth that risk, but if hes comes in plays the best football he has ever played and is pinicle of us getting near or in UEFA Cup place then well be wrong about him.
12 Kris // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:43
As for 8 weeks out of 6 month that just proves how much of a joke this country really is at the moment !!!!!
13 simon P // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:43
joey needs a real punishment for his crime. I propose a 5 year contract at Sunderland.
14 bailey // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:45
How can they make an example of Barton when they have another thug Dennis Wise as a Chief Exec.
Both are a disgrace and when you read Arsenals centre forward on £35000 and no marks like Barton on £60000 there is something sadly wrong. Alan Smith whilst not hurting anyone is also on £60000 a week. It is madness.
Also when KK is defending Barton I dont think he would be so keen if someone with that kind of record came calling on his daughter.
15 Kris // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:45
Nice one simon let the scum take him !! or even boro would be stupid enough
16 ObaFan2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:47
D-Day looming for Barton, as I’ve said earlier I believe he will stay at the club which isn’t my choice just what I believe will happen.
KK (and co.) will choose and I’m happy to go with his decision.
17 Chris // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:48
Unless he is banned from professional football for life, which seems unrealistic, I think we will end up keeping him because of his potential worth. His attack on Dabo happened whilst a Man City player so it is not the responsibilty of Newcastle to punish him for that incident and I’m sure that Keegan will argue that he is willing to give him a chance as he was not the manager when the attack in Liverpool occurred - disciplinarian BS should have made sure he wasn’t out and about if injured.
These are not my personal feelings, but with a paper thin squad, unfortunately I don’t think that Newcastle can afford to take the moral highground at the moment.
18 51times // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:49
Welcome back, Joey.
19 Bill F SPLASH MORE CASH ASH // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:51
Any Muslim fans on the blog, how would he have fared under Sharia law?
I am not advocating it, just curious how he would be treated for his misdemeanours using it.
20 Obafan // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:52
I thought the system in Belgium was poor, but it seems to be the same in England. When somebody has to go to jail for a period, they only need to sit a little part of their sentence. Why do they give him 6 months, if they release him after a couple of weeks? He doesn’t deserve it, point!
And he doesn’t deserve to be in a black n white shirt too.
21 51times // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:56
Bill F - You do understand that Britain is not an Islamic Republic?
22 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:56
I’d rather get rid of SMITH!!!
23 Hadji // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:56
If we dont use him for at least 1 full season without injuries then we will never know.Just look at the way he played when we were in danger of being relegated,he showed only 50 % of his talent.
I’d say to keep him and judge him next summer but i think he learned his lesson while in jail.
24 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:58
I wonder if someone bought him a soap on a rope?
25 MAG PIE // Jul 10, 2008 at 12:58
A mate of mine claims to have insider knowledge and says Keegan can only buy once he’s sold. He can have a squad of 25 and, at the moment he has
Shay Given
Steve Harper
Fraser Forster
Habib Beye
Ben Tozer
Tamas Kadar
Jose Enrique
Steven Taylor
Cacapa
David Edgar
Nicky Butt
Jonas Gutierrez
Charles N’Zogbia
James Milner
Geremi
Joey Barton
Abdoulaye Faye
Damien Duff
Kazenga Lua Lua
Michael Owen
Alan Smith
Mark Viduka
Obafemi Martins
Andrew Carroll
Shola Ameobi
25 players who are likely to be named in 1st team squad
If Barton goes KK can sign Inler - he claims
Could be BS but might be true
26 Kash2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:00
I’m muslim, and Sharia Law is not my fortee to be honest. I think it would have fared similar to what has happened, however I would imagine Sharia would not have taken into account his status, and would have aimed to be consistent with other judgements!
27 xfer // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:01
I hope you guys stay at home starting tomorrow.
28 Kash2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:03
@ MAG PIE: 5 of your players are under the age of 19, I don’t think anyone including KK will acknowledge them as first teamers!
29 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:03
I beleive that! he needs to sell because I really can’t see him given much cash to spend! I’d rather sell smith, ameobi, duff, geremi and viduka!
wonder if KK is forced to sell OBA?
what was that squeeking noise???
30 MAG PIE // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:04
Kash2 - my mate reckons they ARE to be considered part of the 1st team set-up. NUFC big into youth next season!
31 MAG PIE // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:05
HPS - I think KK wouldn’t mind selling Oba if it gave him £15million for 2 quality midfielders - remember Andy Cole?
32 Bill F SPLASH MORE CASH ASH // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:06
51times, I know that, but we do have some of our idiotic law supremo’s actually advocating some implementation of Sharia law in this country. I was just wondering, given the joke that our crime and punishment system is becoming, how more harshly would he be treated under Sharia.
33 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:07
Ashleys just blinding everybody with “A YOUTH POLICY” a policy just to save him money!!!
34 Kash2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:11
@Bill - As far as i’m aware, Sharia is more about consistency passed from judgement to judgement. So that the poorer man doesn’t necessarily get a harsher sentence than the rich man, and vice versa!
Sharia Law and/or Islam was introduced in an era where land was governed by tribal leaders, when cruelty and corruption was rife.
35 Soren // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:11
I think Barton has improved since the fight in Liverpool both on the field, he played very very well from newyear and forth, but also off the field by having curfew and getting help from that Tony Adams institution. I think that KKs return also did good for Barton, as it didn’t seem like BSA got the best of him.
So I’d say give the guy a chance to show his improvements, but this is his LAST chance.
36 Bill F SPLASH MORE CASH ASH // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:11
Thanks Kash2, I’d written my previous reply before I saw yours. We probably had a similar system before ours evolved to where it is today although I think it is devolving again.
Anyway my solution would be for him and his line to be removed from the Gene Pool by castration.
Only Joking
:) 
37 Kash2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:12
@ MAG PIE: Well god help us!
38 Nick Dryden // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:13
No one should bite on 51 times tasteless remarks. Barton just leaves a nasty taste wherever he goes. It’s been lovely with him away. Now I’m depressed again. Barton really has that effect and brings us down. Barton = no Inler !
39 John // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:14
Magpie who’s your mate? Does he work for the club?
Im all for Joey barton Staying with us…Everyone knew this was coming and now that its here everyone wants rid….
Before all the trouble there is no doubt barton has quality..Was brillant a city…
Give him one chance..I’m sure all this trouble played n he’s mind last season and now its all over im hoping to see the quality player joey barton back…
If Keegan want’;s to give him another chance that should be it..He’s the manager at the end off the day and there the one’s that employ you and sack you…
40 joe // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:20
I neither like nor agree with what he’s done but i love the club more and right now we are seriously short of players, more so good ones which when at his best he certainly is. I just worry that we sack him and then some poxy little club get the best out of him.
In the meantime, if KK wants to keep him then i trust his judgement as he knows more about him than anyone. If he stays then i hope he plays well as he is certainly capable. And if we boo him then we are hypocritical as he had commited these crimes and for the last few games he was supported by the toon army. A guilty verdict and spell in prison changed little really - he was always a violent get.
41 Joe Aussie // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:22
Hadji I can’t agree with your comment that Barton has learned his lesson in jail. This bloke has a sheep missing in the top paddock and the only thing that will cure cure his mindless violence is a frontal lobotemy! He is a serial offender and and if NUFC retain him he will only drag down the good name of the club again in the future.
42 Kash2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:26
@Magpie: I don’t think what your mate is telling you is true. Any body who knows anything about football will tell you straight away that we have an unbalanced squad. I really don’t believe the youngsters will be drafted in to cover positions where it could be detrimental to the teams performance!
43 NUFCAl // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:30
I want us to keep him, just to nark off all the moral crusaders from the TV, radio and newspapers.
Sack him and send out a positive message to the kids, then watch as some other club snaps a good player up for nowt.
Like it or not, we need Barton right now and he’s one of our better midfielders.
GET RID OF SMITH!
44 ObaFan2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:31
I agree Kash2, we’ll see some more players in, sooner rather than later I hope. Afterall this is KK’s chance at shaping the squad. I just hope it’s not true that Oba’s up for sale to get transfer funds !
Smith and a few others should be sacraficed instead.
45 Hadji // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:38
Joe Aussie…I’m not saying that i’m desperate for him to stay but untill we dont find a good replacement for him we need him in the club.
Just common sence Joe,would he be a fool to risk his career by doing something stupid again….I DONT THINK SO.
46 Obafemi Martins // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:45
Soren - you are spot on with that.
47 Mama Said Knock You Out // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:51
Sell Barton don’t sack him, we got too much money tied up in that little scouse chimp.
48 Fernando // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:53
Mag Pie .More like Porky pie. You have just made that all up. You are trying to get a rise out of your fellow fans. Insider knowledge my eye!
49 Geordie Nick // Jul 10, 2008 at 13:58
keep barton, i dont agree with wat he done but hes the best midfielder we hav by a long way, and if we do sell him we’ll only get a few million, which is nowhere near enough to replace him
50 Chicken // Jul 10, 2008 at 14:09
I wouldn’t care if it meant playing with ten men for the rest of the season. I never wanted that scumbag anywhere near my club in the first place.
He brings nothing but negativity with him and that can’t be good for the rest of the first team, let alone the youngsters at the club.
If the only reason we are holding on to him is to protect our investment then that just shows how football has been spoilt by greed.
51 Matt Lacey // Jul 10, 2008 at 14:36
Chelsea sued Mutu for the money they lost when he was fired for failing a drugs test - would Newcastle have the same right to sue Barton for getting jailed?
52 scott9 // Jul 10, 2008 at 14:42
i hope hes out we keep him and he is ready for next season i think hes a great player we really need him in midfiled he wud save us some money on having to sign another midfileder.
53 ObaFan2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 14:54
“sources confirmed he was denied a tag and must now serve another four weeks in jail.”
Justice prevails maybe?
54 Obafemi Martins // Jul 10, 2008 at 14:57
According to an online article in The Independent, he’s been denied the chance of early release and will be spending another month at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/barton-denied-early-release-864514.html
55 ObaFan2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 15:08
Maybe they didn’t have a tag big enough to fit round his ego
56 Frankieboy // Jul 10, 2008 at 15:18
Just means we will spend another month speculating and debating whether the club will sack him.
He will be £60k richer, the club £60K poorer, the season will be upon us and the club will be villified for another month.
WHY !!!!!!
Who knows maybe he is one of the reasons why some players prefered to go elsewhere this Summer.
Then we will go through it all again four weeks from now.
Anybody dsiagree ?
57 ObaFan2 // Jul 10, 2008 at 15:20
Frankieboy, I agree it’s becoming a bit of a saga and would be gutted to think he’s getting £60k a week while banged up !
58 AndyT // Jul 10, 2008 at 15:30
I dont think Barton is getting special treatment because of his status - If that was the case why would the home secratry be getting so much grief about early release of prisoners, people re-offending on parole, not enough jails, over lenient sentences.
Just seen he hasn’t been relesed early - hoorah
I’m not condoning him in any way, but i dont think he’s getting any special treatment. We have a judicial system where people are regularly freed after being sentenced to life for far worse crimes than JB has commited.
59 Charlie // Jul 11, 2008 at 0:31
Why cant we get rid of Smith and Ameobi?? Too players on wages that are unjustified. If they could be replaced be players with skill we’d be good to go. Arshavin and Inler for example
60 MAG PIE // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:58
Sorry about delay in responding - my mate does work in SJP, although not high up.Can’t say anymore than that cos before he left Mort made it very clear NUFC would not allow info to leak out from staff - the implication was clear. I’m not sure I believe him but he is adamant.
61 Sav // Jul 11, 2008 at 11:03
“Why cant we get rid of Smith and Ameobi?? Too players on wages that are unjustified. If they could be replaced be players with skill we’d be good to go.”
Because they’re gash.
62 Stami // Jul 11, 2008 at 15:05
i read that his release has been delayed…!
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