Former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton will stay behind bars until his trial next year after a judge rejected a fresh application for bail on Monday.
The 44-year-old, who hails from Widnes in Cheshire, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent against Kevin Lynch, 51, in an incident that took place at Fairway in Huyton on March 8. Barton denies the charge.
Judge David Potter, presiding over the case at Liverpool Crown Court, had already pushed back the start of the trial to March 8, 2027, during a hearing last week. On Monday, the judge went further, ruling that Barton would not be granted release while awaiting proceedings.
Appearing via videolink from HMP Liverpool, Barton was dressed in a grey zip-up fleece as he listened to the judge's decision. He responded with a nod as he was formally remanded in custody. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for December 11, with the eventual trial expected to run for approximately two weeks once it begins.
According to the allegations, the confrontation between Barton and Lynch occurred after the pair had spent time drinking together at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Lynch, who previously managed in non-league football and founded the NexGen Academy, a special education school, is reported to have sustained serious injuries to his eye during the alleged assault.
Barton, who earned a single cap for the England national team during his playing days, built a career that took him through several major English and Scottish clubs. He came through the ranks and played for Manchester City before moving on to Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, and Burnley. His career also included a spell in Scotland with Rangers and a stint in France with Marseille.
Since retiring from playing, Barton has remained a prominent and often controversial figure in English football, having taken up various media and coaching roles. The current case against him marks a significant legal challenge, with the extended timeline meaning he faces well over a year in custody before the matter is resolved in court.
The decision to refuse bail reflects the seriousness with which the court is treating the allegations, though the case will not be tested until the scheduled trial date. Until then, Barton will remain at HMP Liverpool, with his next formal court appearance set for the pre-trial hearing in December.
Details of the alleged incident remain limited pending the full airing of evidence at trial, and both prosecution and defense will have the opportunity to present their cases when proceedings eventually begin in 2027. The nature of the injuries reportedly suffered by Lynch, along with the circumstances leading up to the alleged assault, are expected to form central elements of the case.
For now, the football community and public will have to wait for further updates as the legal process continues, with the next scheduled development being the pre-trial hearing in December this year.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.