• Premier League

QPR appeal Barton red

Joey Barton was sent off after a confrontation with Bradley Johnson © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Features: Bobby Dazzler
  
• News: Zamora sinks Arsenal as Lampard snatches Chelsea win
  

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed they have lodged an appeal to the Football Association following Joey Barton's red card against Norwich on Monday.

The QPR skipper scored the opening goal before being sent off for violent conduct in the 36th minute following an altercation with Bradley Johnson. Rangers were leading 1-0 at the time, but went on to lose 2-1 following goals from Anthony Pilkington and Steve Morison.

QPR manager Neil Warnock claimed Johnson "conned" the officials, feigning to have been headbutted by the former Newcastle midfielder.

"The referee didn't see it; the linesman's actually informed him that he saw Barton headbutt Bradley Johnson, which is ridiculous really. I think he's guessed it because of Johnson's reaction," Warnock said.

"You say cheats don't prosper but I think in this case he has done. He's conned him and unfortunately the linesman's fell for it hook, line and sinker and it's disappointing. It's frustrating; it feels like we've run over a few cats recently. Joey said he didn't make any contact with him. I suppose they [Norwich] will be delighted because they've got three points so it probably justifies what Johnson's done.

Barton later took to Twitter, claiming the assistant referee had admitted he has not seen the incident.

"Well [I] feel for the officials, they've been conned," he said. "Admitted to me at half-time they never saw it. I was pulled back first, then kicked second. [The] linesman definitely never saw it, all he [has] seen was Johnson's reaction. My head doesn't move forward at all. Ridiculous decision seen 25 replays.

"I'd be first to apologise if I'd reacted. Cannot apologise as I know I've not head butted anyone. Disappointed for the lads and the fans. Make your own minds up when you see it. The game's gone! Hopefully referee sees it retrospectively and sees he's been conned. It's no consolation for us right now but at least it's something."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.