London, Oct 9 (IANS) Controversial English footballer Joey Barton, who plays for Scottish club Rangers FC, has been told not to report back for training on Monday morning.
Barton is on the eve of completing a three-week club suspension but Rangers have now confirmed he has been told to stay off for another week while further disciplinary action is considered.
"Joey Barton has been informed that his suspension by the club has been extended by one week. This is part of a formal disciplinary procedure and Joey has been instructed not to return to Ibrox or Auchenhowie (the Rangers' training ground) until further notice," the club was quoted as saying in a statement on Sunday by the Guardian.
"Neither party (the club and player) will make any further statement or comment."
The former Queens Park Rangers midfielder and his representatives are now awaiting further notification but it is all but certain that he will not be seen again in a Rangers jersey again.
The volatile footballer who has been hauled up before as well, signed a two-year contract in July and, unless Rangers decide to dismiss him, Barton is likely to demand the balance of his contract is settled before moving on.
Barton, 34, was banished from the club's training base last month after an altercation with the manager, Mark Warburton, and his teammate Andy Halliday in which he criticised the team's approach to defending in the wake of their defeat in the Glasgow derby at Celtic Park.
--IANS
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