Joey Barton's furious while his 'victim' has the last laugh
Joey Barton and Neil Warnock were today waiting to discover whether they will be charged by the Football Association for their outspoken comments following Queens Park Rangers' 2-1 loss to Norwich.
Barton and his manager both vented their anger at Norwich's Bradley Johnson for his reaction to an incident at Loftus Road which saw the midfielder earn the fifth red card of his career.
Johnson showed no remorse, though, as just hours after yesterday's game he was pictured at the final of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace branding a card with the words: "Barton Your Breath Stinks".
There must be a certain amount of sympathy for QPR's captain - but mixed with the thought he should never have got involved in the 34thminute flare-up that ended with his red card from referee Neil Swarbrick, on the advice of assistant Dave Richardson.
Barton, who had given his side an early lead, was manhandled by Zak Whitbread and then pushed by Johnson. Barton tried the old head to head confrontation, leaned in and Johnson broke off feeling his head as if he'd been butted.
Play went on for seconds before another foul and only then did Swarbrick consult his assistant and flourish the red card. It was the defining moment that sealed QPR's fate as the 10 men fell to goals from Anthony Pilkington and, with six minutes to go, Steve Morison.
Barton branded the officials's decision as "ridiculous" and, in a tweet, then turned his anger on Johnson: "Respect is a two way thing. Hopefully it's rescinded and justice will, albeit far too late, prevail."
Warnock was also furious with Johnson and accused him of getting Barton sent off as he said: "I've seen him a few times do things like that so it doesn't surprise me."
The QPR manager then added: 'I think we've been mugged, left, right and centre - conned the linesman. The ref hasn't even seen it."
