Ex-Footballer Joey Barton Pleads Not Guilty to Alleged Assault

Joey Barton, a former professional footballer, has entered a not guilty plea in relation to an alleged assault that occurred outside a golf club. The 43-year-old appeared in court via video link from HMP Liverpool, wearing a grey fleece and glasses, for the plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. He denied intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to 51-year-old Kevin Lynch at Fairway in Huyton on March 8. Barton's co-defendant, 50-year-old Gary O'Grady, did not enter a plea during the hearing. According to an earlier court hearing, the incident occurred after the defendants had been drinking with the alleged victim at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Mr Lynch, founder of the NexGen Academy and a former non-league football manager, reportedly suffered serious eye injuries. The trial is set to begin on September 1 and is expected to last seven days. Barton, who has been remanded in custody, is a former midfielder for several prominent football clubs, including Manchester City and QPR, and currently hosts the podcast Common Sense With Joey Barton.