Former footballer turned podcaster, Joey Barton, has been arrested in connection with an alleged serious assault.
Barton, 43, was one of two men arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding following reports that a man had been attacked near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.
Emergency services were called to the scene in Huyton at 9pm on Sunday. Merseyside Police officers found a man with injuries to his face and ribs, who was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
Officers arrested two men – aged 50 and 43 – on suspicion of section 18 wounding. Sources have told the ECHO that the younger of the two men is Huyton-born Barton.
Barton made 269 appearances in the Premier League, including 130 for Manchester City. Following his playing career, he had a spell as manager of League One side Bristol Rovers.
Barton now presents the Common Sense with Joey Barton podcast, where he discusses football, cancel culture, grooming gangs, and politics.
Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday 8 March. At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.
“The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs. A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man have both been arrested on suspicion of s18 wounding.
“They are both currently in custody where they will be questioned by detectives. Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.”