Former footballer Joey Barton faces assault charges near golf course

Ex Premier League player Joey Barton faces charges for an attack close to a golf course in north western England.

Merseyside Police stated that the 43 year old is accused of wounding with intent, together with another man, 50 year old Gary OGrady.

Emergency responders arrived at about 2100 GMT on Sunday following reports of a man with severe injuries to his face and torso near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club, not far from Liverpool.

The injured man remains in a serious yet stable condition at hospital.

Barton and OGrady are scheduled to attend Wirral Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Prior to that, during a High Court session on Tuesday concerning a libel case linked to Barton, Gervase de Wilde, acting for former England striker Eni Aluko, who is now a television commentator, noted that his directing solicitor had "received a call from a duty solicitor in a police station in Liverpool" just before the hearing.

De Wilde informed the court that Barton "was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody".

The former midfielder for Manchester City and QPR earned one cap for England and also represented Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley, and Marseille.

After hanging up his boots in 2017, Barton moved into management and presently hosts a podcast.