OPR midfielder Joey Barton apologised for his red card but admits he also tried to get one of his Manchester City opponents sent off.
Barton also insisted he did not deserve to be dismissed at the Etihad Stadium, where QPR were beaten 3-2.
Barton saw red for elbowing Carlos Tevez and then kneed Sergio Aguero, an incident which sparked a mass confrontation.
"Can do nothing but apologise to the players and the fans. Still don't think its a sending off. Tried to take 1 of their players with me..." Barton wrote on Twitter.
"The head was never gone at any stage, once I'd been sent off, one of our players suggested I should try to take 1 of theirs with me..."
"...Never worked but god loves a trier. #reallynotbother #wearesafe.
"Still not my proudest moment but who gives a ****, we are safe..........and that is all that matters."
The score was 1-1 at the time, with Djibril Cisse cancelling out Pablo Zabaleta's opener for City, although Jamie Mackie gave the visitors a shock lead after Barton's dismissal.
Although stoppage time strikes from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero handed City the win and the Premier League title, QPR's safety was ensured following Bolton's draw at Stoke.
"To all those nuggets who've been tweeting about relegation all season.......u were wrong. #chinup," Barton added.
"To those same nuggets, the ones that constantly wrote us of all season. See u in the Premiership next season... #comeonur'sss."
Update:
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what do you think?
Gavin Nellis
You have to ask yourself the question though,did his sending off inspire QPR to play better and ide have to say they seemed to be better without him on the pitch so maybe he did them a favour,just a shame they had 5 minutes extra time to play then maybe the true Manchester team would be Champions once again
Rob Shaw
True manchester team? The one from Stretford yeah? City deserved the title with the right amount of earned added time. No Fergie time involved
Baker101
It was Joey Barton's antics which contributed to the added time after 90 mins. He didn't inspire them to play better at all, they were already at 1-1 by that point and then they just stuck every player behind the ball. City were attacking and got caught on the break which is why it went to 2-1. And yes, Manchester City is the true Manchester team. The majority of Man Utd fans aren't even from Manchester. About time you got over it and let someone else have some glory for once. The most exciting end to any season could have been very boring if the same old team won it again.
rocco hunter
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Rob Shaw
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Rob Shaw
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Colin Jackson
your no better
Colin Jackson
so balotelli,s an angel now is he ? only a few weeks ago you was all avin a pop at him. short memorys you,ve got.
Rob Shaw
I would love to hear why... Because your coming across like a prat
Rob Shaw
Did I say Balotelli is a angel? Your not making sense mate. Are you ok? Do you know where you are?
Tony Robbins
get a grip Joey Millions of people watched what you did and saw dozens of replays, if you don't think thats a sending off you need to find a differant job!!
Douglas Amos
It's about time someone in football, had the guts to ban these thugs from the game. If i was to have acted like that at work, it would of been instant dismissal
Gordon Wright
Let us sincerely hope that the FA disciplinary committee are able to read the comments this idiot has just made. It may inspire them to hand down a punishment that will really stun this thug. Whilst on the subject, why are the police not taking action against him for the unprovoked assault on Aguero?. Had he done that on the street, or at any other place of work, it would have been an arrestable offence. The offence does not require Aguero to lodge a complaint since any police officer who witnesses such an act can take the necessary action. There were surely enough officers at the scene.................
Colin Jackson
get off his back you mugs
Colin Jackson
you lot would.nt know a good footballer if you saw one, your always quick to ave a go at someone. get a life .
Rob Shaw
The fact your backing Joey Barton proves you have no clue about what a good footballer is. If you defend him your as bad as him. Time to take a look at yourself
Colin Jackson
yeah yeah and you defend balotelli do ya ? dont make me laugh pal
Rob Shaw
Again, I'd like to know how im defending Balotelli?
Colin Jackson
look in the mirror mug
Rob Shaw
Genius! Great retort there! You have proved me wrong! you are defintely not pond life.......
Brian Mckeown
two thickos now
Jim Coulson
I am sure that Colin Jackson is talking through his exhaust, how he can defend pal Joey for his behaviour is beyond me. As for Barton coming up with the story that one of his mates told him to take one of the opposing team with him is pure fantasy. I am one of the Newcastle fans who had to put up with his mental shortcomings for a few seasons and was glad to see the back of him. A good player? pretty average I would say .Everything about Barton was summed up by Mike Ashley when he gave him away for nothing, enough said.
Rob Shaw
Most sense iv read all day. Spot on. The fact he went after Balotelli who wasn't even on the pitch show's he is chatting rubbish
Steven Marshall
Sorry Colin, a good footballer is someone that can give you consistancy for 90 mins week in week out. There are lots in the prem league who can do this and are never in the spot light. Does not have to be a superstar. Im sorry but Joey is niether!
Baker101
Just rip up his contract and boot him out. QPR might be in the prem next season but any prem team must be mad to take him on after this. See you in the Championship next season, even then any team in the football league should stay clear of him.
Craig Humphries
I know what barton did was wrong,but the fact that tevez caused it,hey! tevez wouldnt have had achance to come back and play at man utd if he did what he did at man utd.and what did mancini say,he woulndnt play again.
S Fids
Craig your missing the point, this guy is not only a persistent offender but an out-and-out thug. Ask every fan of every team he's ever been booted out of.
wes
I can remember mancini saying teves would not play for Man city again Oh and then there was baloletti or what ever hes called perhaps QPR could off load Barton to Man city he would fit in well with them .....Baloletti and barton I think they must be related somewhere and as for Bartons outburst at Alan Shearer!!!!!!!!!!! If I was Alan Shearer I think I would be taking Legal action against him. I also think the POLICE should be involved for the Assult on Aguero and Kompany
John Adamson
All this talk of Joey Barton. If he had not been sent off Man. City might not have won the Premiership, so thanks to Joey Barton for being such a numpty and taking the title away from Man. U.
Brian Mckeown
sack the thicko and cancel his contract due to his childish behaviour he doesnt deserve to be in any sport
Paul Tommo Tomlinson
If any of us attacked or struck out at a fellow worker or a competitor, we would be instantly dismissed, under the gross misconduct rule. So why do Football clubs allow it to happen time after time Joey Barton has hit and attacked many players (both team mates and opponents) over the years, yet clubs continue to sign him. He could have easily cost QPR a premier league place.
Cosycafe York Street Blackpool
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John Henderson
11:31pm on 13/5/2012
Yes, we all know who the nugget is Joey - the one shown the red card (again) today. QPR may have just escaped the drop - more thanks to Bolton than Barton who once again let his team down. So pleased he was shown the door at Newcastle, what good is a player who regularly takes an early bath, and what an example to the youth of today.