Featured Image Credit: Filthy Fellas/Getty
Topics: Joey Barton, Football, Manchester City
Nasir Jabbar
Topics: Joey Barton, Football, Manchester City
Nedum Onuoha has branded former teammate Joey Barton a 'bully' after recalling his time with the disgraced ex-footballer at Manchester City.
Barton has caused controversy in recent weeks for his view on women working in men's football.
He aimed a vicious attack on Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, who were both on punditry duty for an FA Cup clash between Crystal Palace and Everton.
One of Barton's former teammates has now opened up about the former Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers player, claiming he 'lacks perspective'.
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Onuoha, who played with Barton at Man City and QPR, recalled what it was like having him at a club, referencing a Christmas party where he stubbed a lit cigar in a colleague's face.
"Players in the team like Sylvian Distin, Richard Dunne... they were of the understanding that even though you weren't ready yet, they'll hope you get ready because there's a reason why you're here. Joey was the exact opposite," he revealed on the Filthy Fellas podcast.
"He took the idea that you fight to keep your shirt, literally. For me, one of the problems with him is that he lacks perspective. He can drop a joke and he can't really take one.
"To start with, it was the Christmas party and Joey and, I think, his brothers are trying to set this guy's costume on fire with a lighter.
"So [Jamie] Tandy, starts doing it back, like a joke or whatever. But Joey didn't like the joke so then the cigar goes out in the kid's eye."
Onuoha continued as he recalled Barton clashing with Ousmane Dabo, who was left with a detached retina after a training ground incident.
"Ousmane Dabo, one of the nicest guys I've ever played with, he was getting kicked by Joey every day in training," he added.
"When Joey decides that someone is fighting for his position, he'll do all sorts. Kicking, talking, everything.
"So one day, Ousmane says 'Nah that's enough for me now'. So Ousmane kicked him back. That was the same day that Joey knocked him out, held his head and continued to hit him.
"There was a guy called Leyton Slack and he went up to head the ball. Joey's studded him in the head, six feet in the air. He's a bully."
The former Blues defender said: "At the time he had leverage, because he was one of the better players for City but it was dark times for City.
"Again, he lacks perspective. He would always believe that he is trying harder than everyone else and if you're not with him, you're going against what the greater good should do."