Joey Barton hadn’t made too many headlines since becoming manager of League One Fleetwood Town in the summer.That was until yesterday.Barton’s Fleetwood lost 4-2 to promotion-chasing Barnsley.But that result is rather irrelevant compared to what apparently happened in the tunnel after the final whistle.Reports were soon emerging that police were investigating after Barton had ‘assaulted’ Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel.

Those reports gathered pace when Barnsley player Cauley Woodrow tweeted - before quickly deleting this:

“To have a manager that can physically assault another manager in the tunnel is disgusting, causing our manager to have blood pouring from his face!

“People like you don’t deserve a place in the game of football, you are foul.”

Then, Sky Sports cameras captured Barton attempted to leave Oakwell in a car before being stopped by police.

And now, witnesses have come out and explained exactly what happened.

In a report in The Sun, witnesses claim Stendel lost two teeth after being headbutted and punched by Barton.

Wow.

According to two witnesses, the argument was sparked when Fleetwood’s Harry Souttar was sent off in the 65th minute.

At full-time, Barton is accused of chasing Stendel down the tunnel before the German called the former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder a “f***ing scally.”

Barton reacted with a headbutt, before punching his opposite number and grabbing him by the throat.

“Barton lost his rag after Stendel got involved in the sending-off," a witness said.

“Barton was protesting to officials when Stendel told him to ‘leave it, it is what it is.’

“Barton was sat on the bench after the sending- off, absolutely furious Stendel had got involved. At the end he went down the tunnel and started having a go.

“The other manager called him a ‘f***ing scally’ and Barton headbutted and punched him and put his hands around this throat.

“Nobody could believe what they were seeing.”

Barnsley confirmed that an incident is being investigated by South Yorkshire Police.

A statement read: ‘The Club can confirm there was an alleged incident in the tunnel area that took place ­following the conclusion of today’s match, which South Yorkshire police are investigating.
“The Club is assisting the police with its enquiries and, as a result, we are not in a position to make any further comment at this time.”

We certainly haven’t heard the end of this incident.