Joey Barton denies assaulting rival manager Daniel Stendel after match

Joey Barton leaves Barnsley Magistrates Court, where he faced charges over allegedly attacking a rival manager. Photo credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Former Newcastle United midfielder Barton, 37, is alleged to have pushed the German manager - who is currently being linked with the vacant Sunderland AFC job - at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium on April 13 this year, leaving him with a damaged tooth.

Standing at Barnsley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, October 9, the former England international indicated a not guilty plea to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told him that the allegations were too serious to be dealt with by magistrates and sent to the case for trial before judge and jury at Sheffield Crown Court.

Wearing a blue open-neck shirt, a blue jumper, blue trousers and sporting glasses, Barton spoke only to give his name, his date of birth, his address of Fox Bank Close in Widnes, Cheshire, to confirm he was a British national and indicate his plea.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle United and Burnley midfielder was charged following an incident in the tunnel after the League One match between Barnsley and Fleetwood, which ended in a 4-2 victory for the home team.

Barton was given unconditional bail and told to appear at Sheffield Crown Court for a hearing on November 6.

He smiled at waiting photographers as he left the court building before he was driven off in a black Mercedes SUV.