Former footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with an assault near a golf club that could result in a man “losing sight in one eye”.
The 43-year-old ex-midfielder and Gary O’Grady, 50, are jointly charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on former non-league football manager Kevin Lynch, 51.
Merseyside Police were called to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club at Fairway, Huyton, shortly after 9pm on Sunday to reports of a man being attacked.
Barton, from Fox Bank Close, Widnes, Cheshire, was denied bail at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.
O'Grady, of Seel Road, Huyton, who wore a grey tracksuit has been released on condition bail.
Chelsea Kearns, prosecuting, said Mr Lynch had been drinking with the two defendants who the court heard “vehemently deny” the claims.
She said: “Footage shows Mr Lynch and Mr Barton having what seems to be a heated discussion.”
The men then went outside, where a witness described seeing a man being attacked and an ambulance called, she said.
Mr Lynch is said to be in a serious but stable condition in hospital, but there is a possibility he may lose sight in one eye.
The case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court, where the men will appear for a plea hearing on April 7.
District Judge James Hatton told Barton, who wore a navy blue jumper, he would be remanded in custody until that hearing.
Earlier, at a High Court hearing over a libel claim involving Barton, Gervase de Wilde, representing former England forward Eni Aluko, said his instructing solicitor had “received a call from a duty solicitor in a police station in Liverpool” shortly before the hearing.
Mr de Wilde told the court on Tuesday that Barton, who has managed Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers, “was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody”.
Former Manchester City and QPR midfielder Barton has one England cap and also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.
He now hosts podcast Common Sense With Joey Barton, which is described as an “unfiltered” look at issues in sport, society, politics and more.
