Portugal Colonial - Ex-footballer Barton charged with assault near golf club

Merseyside Police said the 43-year-old is accused of wounding with intent, along with a second man, Gary O'Grady, 50.

Emergency services were called at around 2100 GMT on Sunday after a man suffered serious injuries to his face and body near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club, close to Liverpool.

He is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Barton and O'Grady are due to appear at Wirral Magistrates' Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier, at a High Court hearing on Tuesday over a libel claim involving Barton, Gervase de Wilde, representing former England forward Eni Aluko, now a TV pundit, said his instructing solicitor had "received a call from a duty solicitor in a police station in Liverpool" shortly before the hearing.

De Wilde told the court that Barton "was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody".

The former Manchester City and QPR midfielder won one England cap and also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.

Barton went into management after retiring from playing in 2017 and currently hosts a podcast.

B.Godinho--PC