QPR to appeal Barton red card

QPR have confirmed that they will appeal the red card awarded to Joey Barton during the side’s 2-1 defeat to Norwich City on Monday.

Barton, who had given Rangers the lead at Loftus Road, was dismissed in the first half following a clash with Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson.

Referee Neil Swarbrick sent the former Newcastle man off after he appeared to headbutt the 24-year-old, with both Barton and manager Neil Warnock angrily suggesting that the Norwich player had “conned” the officials.

It was confirmed on the club’s official website on Tuesday that they would be appealing the decision, but that no further comment would be made regarding the incident.

The news comes after Norwich forward Steve Morison – who scored the Canaries late winner – backed the referee over his decision, claiming he was left with little option after Barton’s antics.

“It was quite a quiet game leading up to their goal, then obviously before half-time there was the incident in the middle of the pitch,” Morison told the Eastern Daily Press.

“It happens in football all the time. It was a scenario of things, wasn’t it?”

“A little bit of handbags a couple of seconds before and I think the fact Joey has gone towards Bradley initially, shoulder barged him and then gone to put his head there, it makes out like he’s the aggressor.”

“If the officials have seen that, which they clearly said they did, then it’s a sending off.”