Joey Barton has launched into a furious rant at both John Coleman’s Accrington and the referee after the two sides tempestuous clash in the EFL Trophy last night, as reported by the Blackpool Gazette.
Stanley won a frantic game 2-1, but it was overshadowed by a series of rough tackles and an early red card. Harrison Biggins was sent off after 25 minutes, with Lamine Sheriff taken off by John Coleman after a horror tackles on Wes Burns.
Willie Carvalho and Sean McConville gave the home side a 2-0 lead, before Paddy Madden pulled a goal back late on. After the game, Barton was furious with the tackle on Wes Burns that he feels was worthy of a red card.
“I could do the John Coleman one and bring out a photograph of the gash on Wes’ shin but what is the point? We have a player there with a 12-inch gash down his shin from the mid-point below the knee down to the ankle,” he raged.
“Fortunately it is not a broken leg because the challenge is certainly capable of that. He knows that – that is why he took his player off. I have a lot of respect for John but on Tuesday his team were disgusting.”
He continued in his angry rant, believing the game was ruined by referee Darren Handley.
“They tell us to take the EFL Trophy seriously. Well, if they give us officials like that it will be difficult for us. Why should I risk my first-team players with officials that aren’t at the level to protect them.
“Everyone who was at the game could see that he spoiled the game. We will certainly be making a complaint about the ref. I thought he was dangerous for both sets of players.”
The defeat was the second in as many games for Barton’s side, having been beaten 2-0 by Lincoln City at the weekend.
Our View
This game was always going to be spicy. The two sides met earlier in the season and it was an angry affair then. John Coleman is a fiery character and Barton has been known to have a temper on him too.
Both sets of players went into this game as though it was a battle and on the scoresheet, Accrington won.
Darren Handley had his work cut out from the first whistle to the last.
