Joseph Anthony "Joey" Barton (2 September 1982) (pronounced /ˈdʒoʊiː ˈbɑrtən/) is an English footballer who plays for Championship side Newcastle United, where he is currently suspended.

Barton was born in Huyton, Merseyside and raised in a working-class area. He began his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after working his way through their youth system. His appearances in the senior side gradually increased over the following five years and he made more than 150 for the club. He earned his first cap for the England national team in February 2007, despite his criticism of some of the team's players. He joined his current club Newcastle United for a fee of £5.8 million in July 2007. The contract negotiations became protracted after Manchester City refused to pay Barton a fee of £300,000 to which he was reported to be entitled if he left the club without submitting a request for transfer. Newcastle United consequently raised their initial offer of £5.5 million to £5.8, in effect compensating Manchester City for the £300,000 discrepancy.

His career and life have been marred by numerous controversial incidents and disciplinary problems, and he has been convicted twice on charges of violence. On 20 May 2008 he was sentenced to six months imprisonment for common assault and affray during an incident outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool City Centre. Barton served 77 days of this prison term, being released on 28 July 2008. On 1 July 2008 he was also given a four months suspended sentence after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm on former teammate Ousmane Dabo during a training ground dispute. This incident effectively ended his Manchester City career. Three days after his release, he was charged with violent conduct by The FA for the assault on Ousmane Dabo.. In 2004, he was also involved in an incident where he stubbed out a cigar onto the eyes of reserve team player Jamie Tandy during a Manchester City Christmas party at Lucid nightclub. This resulted in permanent scarring for the victim although luckily his vision was to return to normal.