Former footballer turned podcaster Joey Barton has been arrested in connection with a serious alleged assault. Barton, 43, was one of two men arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding following reports a man had been attacked near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.
Emergency services were called to the scene in Huyton at 9pm on Sunday. Merseyside Police officers found a man with injuries to his face and ribs, who was taken to hospital for further treatment.
Officers arrested two men – aged 50 and 43 – on suspicion of section 18 wounding. Sources have told the ECHO that the younger of the two men is Huyton-born Barton, reports Liverpool Echo.
Barton made 269 appearances in the Premier League, including 130 for Manchester City. Following his playing career he had a spell as manager of League One side Bristol Rovers.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Barton now presents the Common Sense with Joey Barton podcast where he discusses football, cancel culture, grooming gangs and politics.
Merseyside Police erected a cordon on Fairway in the Knowsley town on Sunday night. The ECHO understands police dropped the cordon but then re-erected it.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday 8 March. At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.
“The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs. A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man have both been arrested on suspicion of s18 wounding.
“They are both currently in custody where they will be questioned by detectives. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.”