Witnesses claim Fleetwood boss also PUNCHED Barnsley's Stendel in a tunnel brawl after the League One game at Oakwell
JOEY BARTON faces a police probe after being accused of a vicious HEADBUTT on Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel.
Witnesses claim the German lost two teeth as Fleetwood chief Barton also PUNCHED him in a tunnel brawl after the League One game at Oakwell yesterday, which Barnsley won 4-2.
Stendel, 45, was allegedly left with a bloodied mouth as the warring managers had to be separated by stewards and cops.
Barnsley striker Cauley Woodrow branded Barton “foul” on Twitter before deleting his post.
Woodrow said: “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.”
Sky cameras later dramatically captured police stopping Barton from leaving the ground.
People like you don’t deserve a place in the game of football, you are foul
Barnsley striker Cauley Woodrow
As he was being driven out of the gates with three Fleetwood officials, their BMW was halted by a male steward and a female police officer.
Barton — who was jailed for affray in 2008 — was allowed to leave, while his squad went home on the team coach.
Two sources told SunSport the flashpoint was sparked after the bosses exchanged words when Fleetwood player Harry Souttar was sent off in the 65th minute.
At the final whistle, Barton is alleged to have chased after Stendel down the tunnel, provoking the German into telling his rival he was “just a f***ing scally”.
Barton is then said to have launched a violent attack, first headbutting the Barnsley chief, then punching him and grabbing him by the throat as stunned players and coaching staff looked on.
One eyewitness claimed: “Barton lost his rag after Stendel got involved in the sending-off.
“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 an incident was being investigated by South Yorkshire Police.
The other manager called Barton a ‘f***ing scally’ and he headbutted and punched him
An eyewitness at Oakwell
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.”
The usual post-match press conference was cancelled.
While a South Yorkshire police spokesman confirmed: “We are aware of something that has taken place in the tunnel after the game and we are investigating.”
The two managers were seen squaring up to each other on the touchline at the final whistle, with Stendel waving his finger at Barton.
Barnsley club officials are understood to have filmed the argument, which prompted a furious member of the Fleetwood coaching staff to interrupt the recording with a foul-mouthed tirade.
Barton, 36, then shook hands with Barnsley staff and the match officials before racing off up the tunnel where the alleged brawl took place.
The FA will launch a full investigation after receiving a report from ref Sebastian Stockbridge.
However, he was still on the pitch at the time of the tunnel incident.
Barton took over at Fleetwood a year ago after a controversial career, which saw him play for Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR and Burnley as well as winning one cap for England.
