Barton in trouble after party bust-up

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton is set to face disciplinary action after reportedly poking a burning cigar into the eye of a young team-mate at the club’s Christmas party.

The fiery 22-year-old was allegedly then hit over the head with a bottle by aggrieved friends of the youth-team player and looks set to be hit with at least a two-week fine for the fracas at the Lucid nightclub in Manchester.

According to the report in this morning’s Daily Mirror, Barton had been stubbing the cigar onto players’ arms but went even further after youngster James Tandy crept up behind him and tried to set his shirt alight, turning round and putting the cigar into the 18-year-old’s eye.

Tandy’s friends pounced on Barton and he was hit on the head with a bottle.

However, the incident was not reported to police and both players returned to training on Monday.

A Manchester City spokesman said: “We are aware of a minor incident that took place on Sunday involving two members of our playing staff.

“An internal investigation is already being carried out and the matter is being dealt with by the club.”