Since being sacked by Bristol Rovers in October 2023, Joey Barton has reinvented himself as football's answer to Laurence Fox. Barton started his right-wing rhetoric with complaints about female pundits being used on men's matches. If that wasn't controversial enough, he has since gone on to complain just about anything and everything that will garner him attention online.
To nobody's surprise, the ex-QPR midfielder then launched a podcast that left many people speculating that his outlandish comments online were being made to promote the launch. However, he has progressively gotten less tactile in his comments and has crossed the proverbial line several times.
In one comment, he labelled TV and Radio presenter, Jeremy Vine, a “bike n***e” in response to Vine posting videos on his X account of his escapades on his bike. The comment clearly found its way to Vine as the presenter has since sued the ex-footballer for damages.
Joey Barton GoFundMe page: Fans react
In recent days, Barton made this information accessible to the public and has incredibly launched a GoFundMe page where he's been asking for donations from the general public to counter-sue Vine after the presenter speculated as to whether Barton has suffered from a brain injury.
Barton, who has labelled himself a multi-millionaire several times over the past couple of months, insists that anything gained from the case will be donated to Alder Hey Children's Hospital but the fact he has been asking for money to counter-sue Vine has left thousands of people gobsmacked. What's arguably even more shocking, is the fact that hundreds of people have chosen to donate money to the cause.
As it stands the GoFundMe has brought in over £11,000 and football fans have taken to X to express their concern, disbelief, and sadness at the situation. One said: “Joey Barton’s GoFundMe is proof beyond all reason doubt that some people are absolute idiots.”
Another person posted: “Imagine being the sort if person that donates to a Joey Barton GoFundMe to pay for his solicitor fees. The guy earned over 7 mil in his career.” A third added: “If you donated your money to Joey Barton’s GoFundMe, there is no hope for you.”
Other people find the whole situation hilarious with one person calling on streaming networks to make a show about it. They said: “Joey Barton is actually running a GoFundMe page to raise funds to defend himself against Jeremy Vine, who is suing him for calling him a bike n***e. Come on Netflix, you've got to get on board with this show surely?”