Former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton was in police custody on Monday morning after being arrested on suspicion of wounding following an alleged altercation at a golf club in Merseyside on Sunday night.
Merseyside Police confirmed that emergency services were called to Fairway, close to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in Huyton, at around 9pm following reports of an assault. A man was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs. Two men were subsequently arrested in connection with the incident — a 50-year-old and a 43-year-old — both on suspicion of section 18 wounding. Both remained in custody on Monday morning where they were being questioned by detectives.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday 8 March. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.”
It is understood the altercation began inside the golf club’s clubhouse. There is a suggestion that a weapon was subsequently produced from outside the building and that Barton, 42, may have been acting in self-defence, though this has not been confirmed by police.
Barton, who played for clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United and Burnley during his professional career, has faced a number of legal matters throughout his life both during and since his playing days.
The investigation into the Sunday night incident remains ongoing, with detectives continuing their enquiries into the full circumstances of what took place at the club.
