Rangers

Joey Barton 'requests extra time to consider betting charge'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 12 October 2016

A report claims that Joey Barton has asked the SFA for an extension to respond to his charge of placing 44 bets, which the governing body will consider on Thursday.

Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has requested extra time to consider his Scottish Football Association gambling charge, according to a report.

The 34-year-old was initially given until Wednesday to respond after being accused of placing 44 bets on games between July 1 and September 15 this year.

BBC Sport claims that Barton has asked for an extension so that he can fully examine the paperwork in the case against him, which the SFA's judicial panel will consider on Thursday.

Meanwhile, there was drama at Mark Warburton's press conference earlier today as the Gers boss was questioned about Barton's future at the club, forcing press officer Jim Traynor to step in and halt proceedings for around 20 minutes.

Warburton did later give a brief statement on the situation, however, telling reporters: "It is being dealt with by the powers that be at the club so when there is news to come out it will come out but until then there is no comment.

"There is no comment on Joey Barton, it wouldn't be right, there is a process going through right now so there will be no comment from myself."

Barton has been told to stay away from the Ibrox club until at least next week after a "formal disciplinary procedure" was launched following a separate internal dispute.