Barmy Barton facing lengthy ban after City red mist

Joey Barton is facing the threat of a 10-match ban — or even longer — after the Football Association charged him with two acts of violent conduct following his sending off in QPR’s defeat by Manchester City.

Barton was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez and then kicked Sergio Aguero before attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany.

He will receive an automatic four-match ban as it was his second dismissal of the season, and could receive three-match suspensions for each of the violent conduct charges.

On top of that, the FA’s regulatory panel will have discretionary powers to increase the length of the suspension if charges are found to be proven.

That leaves the midfielder facing a lengthy suspension at the start of next season — something that could deter interest from other clubs in signing him if QPR decide they wish to part company. Barton yesterday denied trying to deflect attention away from his behaviour after launching an expletive-laden attack on Alan Shearer, his former manager at Newcastle and current Match of the Day pundit.

Barton said on Twitter: “No deflections here mate. Think the fact about 100m people seen it will see to that. Just don’t like how he goes personal...”

He added: “Right enough about yesterday, I apologise to everyone offended by it. If that’s not enough for some, so be it. Life is too short.

“Still don’t think it is a sending off. The head was never gone at any stage. Once I’d been sent off, one of our players suggested I should try to take 1 of theirs with me. Never worked but god loves a trier.’’

Barton has until 6pm today to respond to the charges.

* Everton are to appeal against Tim Cahill’s sending off in Sunday’s 3-1 win against Newcastle.

The Australian midfielder received a straight red card at the full-time whistle after appearing to get involved in a confrontation with Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye.