Apology Accepted! Blackburn's Morten Pederson and Newcastle United’s Joey Barton patch up
Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pederson has accepted Newcastle United’s Joey Barton’s apology saying that he has no problem with the Newcastle player.
Joey Barton punched the Norwegian in the stomach during his team's 2-1 loss at St. James Park last week. Barton would now serve a three match ban after this latest of many controversial incidents in his career.
But, in a true sportsman like gesture, Morton Gamst Pederson stood up for the 28 year old after Joey Barton issued an apology by calling up the Norwegian last Friday.
Pederson said that he could not answer the phone when Barton called as he was in a team meeting but was happy to know that the Newcastle midfielder had left him a nice sorry message on the answering machine but, called him the minute he was free from the
team meeting.
The Norway international sided with Barton and said that there was more to the Newcastle man than what happened on the pitch during the match. He appreciated the gesture that Barton showed and added that Joey Barton had more courage than many other players.
"Both me and Joey are professional and fully agree to put this behind us, and that we can laugh about the whole thing next time we meet,'' the Blackburn winger said.
Let’s have a look at the controversies that surrounded the Englishman in the past:
-On 25th July 2004, Joey Barton sparked a 10-man brawl during a friendly match against Doncaster Rovers when he ‘hacked’ an opposition player.
-Joey Barton signed a new contract with Manchester City on 22nd September 2004 but the club then considered terminating the contract in December 2004. During a Christmas party, the volatile Joey Barton stabbed young player Jamie Tandy’s eye with
a cigar then the youngster tried to set Barton’s shirt on fire. Later on, Barton apologized for blowing out of proportions but was fined six weeks’ wages.
-In May 2005, Joey Barton broke the leg of a 35 year old pedestrian while driving through the Liverpool city centre in the early hours of morning.
-In the summer of 2005, Joey Barton was sent home after he verbally and physically assaulted a 15 year old Everton supporter and was stopped by team-mate Richard Dunne before he could do even more damage. Because of this, Barton was ordered by manager Stuart
Pearce to undergo anger management therapy and was fined 120,000 pounds.
-In February 2007, Joey Barton received his first England call-up for a friendly against Spain in spite of his criticism of several national team players in his autobiography where he suggested that many players in the national set up had cashed in the opportunity
due to the lack of strength in the national squad.
-On May 1st 2007, Joey Barton was involved in yet another incident during a training session where he assaulted fellow Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo whom he hit several times, causing the man to suffer from head injuries and suspected
detached retina. Dabo later pressed charges against Barton who was then arrested and questioned by Greater Manchester Police. This incident put an end to Barton’s career at Manchester City. After being proven guilty, Barton was sentenced to 4 months in prison
on 1st July 2008 plus 200 hours of community service and was also ordered to pay a compensation of 3000 pounds.
So far, signs are that the easily-angered Joey Barton is improving his performances on and off the pitch. Let’s just hope that the lad doesn’t lose his head again in the future.
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