Joey Barton to Remain in Custody After Renewed Bail Bid Refused

Former England midfielder Joey Barton will remain in custody ahead of a trial scheduled for next year after a renewed bail application was refused at Liverpool Crown Court. The Press Association reported that Judge David Potter rejected the application during a hearing on Monday, September 7, and remanded Barton in custody.

Watch the highlights:

Barton appeared by video link from HMP Liverpool wearing a grey zip-up fleece. The 44-year-old nodded as the judge delivered the decision. A pre-trial hearing has been set for December 11, while the trial itself has been moved to March 2027 after the case was adjourned the previous week.

The former footballer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway in Huyton on March 8, 2026. The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place after Barton and Lynch had been drinking together at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. The charge remains an allegation to be determined by the court.

According to the Press Association report, Lynch was said to have suffered serious injuries to an eye. He is a former non-league football manager and the founder of NexGen Academy, a special education school. No finding has been made against Barton, and Monday's hearing concerned his custody status rather than the outcome of the charge.

The rescheduled trial will take place a year after the alleged incident. Barton was arrested shortly after it and, with bail refused, is expected to have spent 12 months on remand by the time the trial begins. The report did not give a specific March trial date beyond stating that it would be exactly a year after the alleged assault.

Barton, who is from Widnes in Cheshire, won one senior England cap during his playing career. He represented Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Marseille, Burnley and Rangers. After retiring as a player, he moved into management and had spells in charge of Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.