The alleged incident occurred at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on Sunday evening. Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images
March 10, 2026 9:18 am EDT
Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been charged after an alleged assault outside a golf club.
The 43-year-old ex-Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder has been in custody since the incident at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on Sunday evening.
Barton is to appear at Wirral Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon alongside Gary O’Grady, 50, Merseyside Police confirmed, after both were charged under the Section 18 offence of wounding with intent.
Emergency services were called to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club, in Merseyside, following 999 calls on Sunday. The victim was taken to hospital with injuries to his face and ribs, and is in a “serious but stable condition”, police said.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: “We can confirm that two men have been charged following an assault in Huyton on Sunday night, 8 March.
“At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.
“The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of serious injuries to his face and body. He is in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Two men were arrested.”
Barton played for England once during his career, which also included spells at Marseille, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Rangers. After retiring he went into management and coached Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.
He parted company with Rovers in 2023, and has since launched a podcast. He has amassed 2.5 million followers on the social media site X.
Mar 10, 2026
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