Non-league Lincoln knocked Premier League side Burnley out of the FA Cup but all anybody could talk about was Joey Barton.
Barton, as he has been known to do, stole all the headlines thanks to an incident that took place during Saturday’s early kick-off at Turf Moor.
The controversial midfielder, who re-signed with Burnley until the end of the season, was tasked with marking Lincoln centre-forward Matt Rhead for set pieces.
Barton earned plenty of contempt when he appeared to stamp backwards and dig his studs into Rhead’s foot before hitting the deck under very little contact, seemingly in an attempt to get the striker sent off.
https://twitter.com/gabe_roche03/status/832952630171336704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Barton was booked later on in the game for his role in a skirmish and he didn’t take long to respond to the waves of online criticism as he took to Twitter in the moments immediately following the defeat.
This is how Barton attempted to explain his actions…
Wasn't trying to get the Big Man sent off. It was my job to front screen and disrupt him. Was trying to get back in front of him. (1)
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 18, 2017
Tried to duck under his arm and he moved it back and hit me on the head. Contact is part of the game, no problem with that. (2)
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 18, 2017
Unlike their player saying he was kicked on the floor and also the one who jumped and held his face as if he'd been struck. (3)
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 18, 2017
But that wouldn't make a good story would it. FairPlay to Lincoln. They where well organised and that's Cup football. Good luck in nxt rd.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 18, 2017
Unsurprisingly, that reasoning wasn’t well received by more sceptical Twitter users.
That's probably the worst defence I've heard since Shaggy's "It wasn't me." 😂
— David Preece (@davidpreece12) February 18, 2017
.@Joey7Barton pic.twitter.com/8xPeH7ZTZs
— Weekend Football (@weekendfootball) February 18, 2017
.@Joey7Barton pic.twitter.com/cuawjRyn4G
— SlashFootball (@slashfootball) February 18, 2017
@Joey7Barton Bullshit. You’re a cheat.
— Colm (@cohcfc) February 18, 2017
@Joey7Barton pic.twitter.com/CTiBI5yTAP
— Tony (@TmLFC1988) February 18, 2017
@Joey7Barton ??? what a crock of shite..you ducked under his arm and feigned he hit you in the face,after stamping on his foot #embarrassing
— TweetyMcTweetface (@jose_wonderboy1) February 18, 2017
@Joey7Barton pic.twitter.com/XwWkS9lDhk
— Ste Rowen (@sterowen) February 18, 2017
@Joey7Barton pic.twitter.com/4q143Eo7gE
— ben (@thebenprocter) February 18, 2017
.@Joey7Barton yes Joey, we believe you pic.twitter.com/ZDVQoHNwpR
— Andy Medcalf (@AndyMedcalf) February 18, 2017
@Joey7Barton pic.twitter.com/L5tszudTJW
— Freddie Shires (@fshires) February 18, 2017
@Joey7Barton pic.twitter.com/7F2hq5fKKu
— NUFC Network (@NUFC_Network) February 18, 2017
