Barton Faces The Sack As He Rejects Pay Cut
By Tyne-Talk
June 11 2008
As the Joey Barton saga continues the latest development has seen him reject a £30,000 a week pay-cut which would have kept him at the club, his future now looks bleak as it appeared to be the only option he had if he wished to keep his job. Chairman Chris Mort neither confirmed nor denied the clubs approach to the situation last week.
Reports suggest Barton was told of his options in advance which appear to have been to either sign up or face dismissal.
It has been suggested that the 25 year old refused the deal on the basis he believed the club were cutting costs with the ultimatum rather than punishing him with the £6million cut covering the rest of his 4 year contract, and therefore believes he would have decent case for unlawful dismissal if Newcastle dismiss him on the grounds of gross misconduct.
The Midfielder has been short of luck lately and his next instalment of bad news could come on the back of Chelsea's claim for damages against Adrian Mutu after he tested positive for Cocaine in 2004. The club have been awarded approximately £9.6million in damages, a case which would no doubt be of great interest to Newcastle United as they aim to see out this dismissal.
It's difficult to begin to understand how Barton would successfully make a claim for unlawful dismissal after being sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for assault and affray whilst earning approximately £60,000 a week for his services to the club.
The Mirror are reporting that Newcastle United are far from happy about letting the former Manchester City player become a free agent as such and would be hoping to maintain his registration in order to try and claim approximately £3million back by selling him on, though with a history as colourful as his it would be interesting to see which Premier League players would come in for him at that price.
Barton has 1 more court hearing to face this month as the incident against former team-mate Ousmane Dabo goes before magistrates.
Hasta la vist Joey
Would you? Lol
I wouldnt, based purely on previous convictions.
I think there comes a point when ability has nothing to do with it.
I certainly wouldnt want him.
He only has himself to blame.