PFA chief Taylor cannot defend QPR's Barton

Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor admits he has no defence for the actions of Joey Barton on the final day of the Premier League season.

The QPR captain was yesterday banned for 12 matches for his inexplicable actions against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium just under two weeks ago.

Barton elbowed Carlos Tevez before kneeing Sergio Aguero and attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany and Taylor says there is no explanation for such behaviour from an experienced player.

"It's very hard for us," Taylor told Sky Sports News. "You can't defend those actions.

"This was a game going out all over the world. A big game for Manchester City.

"He just did himself no favours by talking about taking one or two Manchester City players off with him.

"So it was quite depressing really and I have to say the game is bigger than all of us.

"The image of the game is important and it can't revolve around a single person.

"I'm not surprised at the sanction and fearful of course that we've now got to see the situation at Queens Park Rangers.

"But he's one of our members.

"He chooses what advice to take but it is a big worry because he's at a time of his life now where I felt things were going better - albeit at times with controversies about his social media.

"We'd actually spoken at conferences about that. When he's on track he's sound and articulate and good humoured.

"But there's a red mist that comes on him and from that point of view it just knocks you back to square one."

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