Joey Barton accepts FA misconduct charge over betting breaches - Sky sources
Friday 3 February 2017 08:40, UK
Joey Barton has accepted a misconduct charge over betting breaches but he has requested a personal hearing, according to Sky sources.
The Burnley midfielder faces the prospect of a lengthy ban after he was accused of placing more than 1,200 bets on football over 10 years.
The former Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR and Rangers player's case is expected to be heard this month after he responded to the Football Association's charge on Tuesday.
Barton is alleged to have placed 1,260 bets on football between March 2006 and May 2016 in contravention of FA rule E8.
It is understood that Barton is alleged to have placed bets on competitions in which his team was involved although it is unclear if the charges include betting on matches in which he was involved personally.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche brought Barton back to Turf Moor last month after his contract with Rangers was terminated by mutual agreement in November.
Speaking on Thursday, Dyche said: "(The case) is between him and the FA to be fair. If we needed to do anything we would, but we are not really involved here.
"He knows the requirements here. That doesn't mean he's going to play well but it can give you a helping hand. He knows what we want from him, what his responsibilities are, how it works on the training pitch."
