Joey Barton has apologised for swearing at referee Bobby Madden during Bristol Rovers’ 2-2 draw with Fleetwood Town in which the Gas manager was sent off in the closing stages.
Barton was sent to the stands a minute before normal time after a flashpoint on the sidelines after Fleetwood midfielder Josh Vela had tackled Rovers substitute Luca Hoole.
Barton was shown a red card and leapt over the barrier to watch the remainder of the game from the East Stand as Rovers then conceded a 99th minute equaliser to Shaun Rooney.
READ MORE: Bristol Rovers coach reacts with confusion to Joey Barton's red card after late Fleetwood drama
Barton didn’t conduct press duties after the game, over fears he was likely to say something that would incur a fine with assistant Andy Mangan stepping in.
Mangan confessed that he and the rest of the staff had no idea why Barton was dismissed but Bristol Live understands the Rovers manager sought an explanation from the Scottish official after the match.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday morning, Barton wrote: “Regardless of how much you disagree with an official’s decision making, you shouldn't swear at them. For that, I apologise to yesterday’s match official Robert Madden.”
Rovers felt they were denied a clear penalty in the 75th minute after Aaron Collins was fouled inside the area, but Madden ruled the Gas No10 had dived. A decision apparently disapproved by replays instantly watched by Rovers coaches.
The referee also allowed seven minutes of injury time, and then added a further two minutes in which Fleetwood mustered an equaliser through Rooney.
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