Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has been charged with causing actual bodily harm (ABH).

This charge is following an incident at Barnsley’s Oakwell Stadium in April where Daniel Stendel left the stadium with facial injuries following a scuffle after the match.

It was announced after the game that Barnsley had lodged a formal complaint with the EFL and FA over the incident. Officers were subsequently called to the stadium and held Barton up as he attempted to leave. South Yorkshire Police later called for witnesses and it is reported that Mr Stendel left with “blood pouring from his face”.

The case has been investigated for three months and Barton will now appear before magistrates on 09 October. A statement by the police has said:

“A man has been charged following an incident at Barnsley Football Club in April 2019. Joseph Barton, 36, of Fox Bank Close, Widnes, has been charged with actual bodily harm contrary to section 47 assault and has been bailed to appear before Barnsley Magistrates Court on Wednesday 9 October 2019.

“On Saturday 13 April 2019, a man was left with facial injuries after an incident in the club tunnel around 5pm, following the conclusion of Barnsley’s match against Fleetwood Town.”

Barton has “emphatically denied” accusations that he confronted Daniel Stendel in the tunnel following the match in question.