Barton accepts huge QPR punishment

Joey Barton has apologised for his last-day-of-the-season stupidity after been fined six weeks wages and stripped of the QPR captaincy.

The club took strong action in the wake of Barton's antics leading up to and after his red card against Manchester City - after which he was handed a 12-match ban by the Football Association. The club released a statement on Monday following an internal disciplinary case against the midfielder in which they said "the Club reserves the right to terminate his contract" if there is another breach. Barton's total fine is estimated to be somewhere in the region of £500,000 including the £75,000 he was fined by the FA. The club also comfirmed that the 29 year-old midfielder will also be absent from Rangers' pre-season tour of Asia in July. The CEO Philip Beard said: "It was important that we took our time to make sure we came to the correct decision, which I believe we have achieved. Joey's behaviour, which led to his red card at Manchester City, and his subsequent actions were completely unacceptable and we have made our feelings on this matter known to him. "I am really pleased with the way in which the Club and Joey have worked towards reaching a sensible conclusion and we fully believe he will respond to these sanctions in the correct manner." Barton said: "My behaviour was wrong and I accept the punishment that has been imposed upon me as a result. I apologise to the Manager, my team-mates and of course the QPR fans for my actions. I also apologise to the Manchester City players, staff and supporters."