Joey Barton Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Allegation Outside Golf Club

Ex-footballer Joey Barton has entered a not guilty plea to allegations of assaulting a 51-year-old man outside a golf club. Barton, 43, appeared remotely from HMP Liverpool for the plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch at Fairway in Huyton on March 8. Barton's co-defendant, 50-year-old Gary O'Grady, did not enter a plea. The alleged incident occurred after the defendants had been drinking with Mr Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Mr Lynch, founder of NexGen Academy, reportedly suffered serious eye injuries. A trial date has been set for September 1, with the case expected to last seven days. Barton was remanded in custody, while O'Grady was granted conditional bail. Barton, a former midfielder for Manchester City and QPR, now hosts the podcast Common Sense With Joey Barton, exploring sports, society, politics, and more.