Barton denies Dunne fight

Joey Barton insists he did not fight with team-mate Richard Dunne.

Joey Barton has apologised for the incident that saw him sent home from Manchester City's tour of Thailand, but insists he did not fight with team-mate Richard Dunne.

Barton reacted angrily after being provoked by a group of Everton supporters and allegedly bit Dunne on the finger when the Republic of Ireland international attempted to break up the confrontation.

The 22-year-old was subsequently packed off home by City with some people suggesting he could be sacked for the misdeamour having been warned over his future conduct after poking team-mate Jamie Tandy in the eye with a cigar at the team's Christmas party.

However, it is thought Barton will escape with a severe reprimand and fine, and the player himself has now issued a full apology.

"There was no fight between me and Richard (Dunne) but there was, however, a verbal exchange with a group of supporters," Barton told the Manchester Evening News.

"I was struck by a supporter, which I reacted badly to, but I stress that I didn't throw a punch at the supporter or Richard.

"I apologise to everyone I have offended, especially to my team-mates, my manager, the staff and all the supporters of my football club.

"I have let everyone down. I regret the incident but it was not the mass brawl that some people have made it out to be."

Barton admits quitting the game crossed his mind in the aftermath of his latest indiscretion, but revealed talks with team-mates led him to reconsider.

"After it first happened I thought about the upset that will cause my family and friends, not to mention all the bad publicity for the club and I was thinking `is it all worth it?'," he continued.

"But I went to speak to Dunnie and I also spoke to the captain (Sylvain Distin), as well as other lads like Robbie Fowler and Ben Thatcher. They told me that I had acted irresponsibly but now was the time to show that I can act like a man."