Joey Barton Remains in Prison Until March 2027 After Bail Rejection

Liverpool Crown Court has rejected Joey Barton’s bail application during a video hearing before judge David Porter. The 44-year-old former Manchester City midfielder will remain in custody until his trial, rescheduled for March 8, 2027.

Barton has been incarcerated since spring following an assault on March 8 after an evening at Huyton and Prescot golf club at Fairway. He is accused of violently striking Kevin Lynch, 51, a local amateur football figure and founder of the NexGen Academy, causing serious bodily harm including a serious eye injury. The former player pleads not guilty and contests all charges against him.

British justice has nevertheless chosen caution, refusing any form of supervised release. Due to the trial delay, Barton could accumulate nearly a year in custody before his trial, scheduled to last two weeks, actually begins.

This new legal chapter is part of a long history with the justice system. In 2007, Barton was prosecuted after assaulting his Manchester City teammate, Frenchman Ousmane Dabo, during a training session. After his career ended with Burnley in 2017, he became known for misogynistic remarks and repeated attacks against female consultants and football figures on social media, which resulted in a six-month suspended prison sentence in December 2025.