Since last week, Joey Barton, the former England midfielder, 41, has been in the hot seat for misogynistic and sexist outings relayed on the networks against women football consultants. Selected pieces, posted on X: “Women should not speak with an ounce of authority about men’s football. Come on, let’s be serious. It’s a completely different sport. If you don’t accept this, we will always see things differently. »
“Any man who listens to women’s comments or co-comments needs to see a doctor. (…) Fortunately, I played at a level that allows me to earn enough to say and do what I want. »
“I don’t want to see sexism in football, but if we don’t debate properly (the place of women in broadcasts), it will only get worse and ruin the experience of watching top-level men’s football ( …) Everywhere you go, there is an unqualified opinion speaking out about the sport I love and it ruins my viewing experience.”
Dear Carrie,
as much as I respect your opinion and I definitely appreciate the feedback.
The feeling is mutual. It’s a cesspool of corruption over in Men’s Football. Paedophiles in @FA academy’s and everything. I want no part of it as it stands.
I’m out. Gone. Retired from… https://t.co/FkZp87Gujf
— ???? Joey Barton ???? (@Joey7Barton) December 11, 2023
On Monday, the former player announced that he was turning his back forever on the world of football, judging it to be undermined by “corruption” and “pedophilia”. Barton indicated his distancing in his response to a journalist who demanded that the ex-player of Manchester City, Queen’s Park Rangers and Marseille in particular “never again have a position close to football”.
“The feeling is mutual,” retorted the former international (one selection). “It’s a veritable cesspool of corruption in men’s football. Pedophiles in the English Federation. I don’t want to be a part of it as it is. I’m out. Left. Retired from men’s football. You only need to have played for the last 20 years to understand this. Look, I don’t expect you to do it. It’s not because of the big breasts, dyed blonde hair and makeup. No. (…) I’m just a really bad man trying to do a good thing. »
After his outrageous tweets last week, Barton took responsibility for his comments in an interview with journalist Piers Morgan, speaking out against the presence of women on the sets, consistent, according to him, with a woke agenda.
“Everywhere you go, there is an unqualified opinion speaking out about the sport I love, and it’s ruining my experience,” he said. This will increase sexism massively. We need meritocracy. We must have qualified people to fill these positions. »
Barton, who hung up his boots in 2017 after a spell at Burnley, then moved on to coaching at Fleetwood until January 2021, then at Bristol Rovers in February 2021, before being fired in last October.
