Joey Barton charged with assault after incident near golf club

• Joey Barton charged with section 18 wounding with intent following an incident near a golf club
• Merseyside Police say a man suffered serious injuries to his face and body
• Barton is due to appear at Wirral Magistrates’ Court

Former midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with assault following an incident near a golf club in Merseyside.

Merseyside Police said the 43-year-old, from Widnes, has been charged with section 18 wounding with intent.

A second man, Gary O’Grady, 50, from Huyton, has also been charged in connection with the incident.

Emergency services were called at around 9 p.m. on Sunday after a man suffered serious injuries near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

The victim sustained injuries to his face and body and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Barton and O’Grady are scheduled to appear at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier on Tuesday, Barton’s arrest was referenced during a hearing at the High Court of Justice involving a libel claim connected to former England national football team forward Eniola Aluko.

Barrister Gervase de Wilde told the court that Barton had been arrested and was being held in custody.

During his playing career, Barton represented several clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley F.C., Olympique de Marseille and Rangers F.C..

He also had managerial spells at Fleetwood Town F.C. and Bristol Rovers F.C..

Barton has since launched the podcast Common Sense With Joey Barton, which focuses on issues in sport, society and politics.