Soccer: Man City's Barton sent home

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been sent home from the team's pre-season trip to Thailand following an alleged altercation in a hotel bar with a 15-year-old Everton fan.

The incident happened in the early hours of yesterday morning when the team returned to their hotel after spending the evening at a Thai restaurant.

The players had been given permission to enjoy a quiet drink for the first time since arriving in Bangkok a week ago.

Shortly after arriving at the bar, however, Barton became involved with the young fan, allegedly striking him before being restrained by club captain Richard Dunne.

In December the 22-year-old was fined for jabbing a lit cigar into the eye of Jamie Tandy.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY