Twitter & twisted: Barton saga takes new turn

Alan Pardew has called in the lawyers in a crack-down on Joey Barton and his Toon Twits.

The Newcastle manager admits he risks being seen as a dictator by his disgruntled players after firing a warning shot at his Twitter-mad squad - a legal letter designed to stamp-out the kind of cyber-ranting that has left Barton's future on Tyneside hanging by a thread.

Fed-up Pardew has even been on the phone to Sir Alex Ferguson for advice on keeping his tweeters in check - only for the Manchester United manager to laugh at the online aggro Toon have let themselves in for just days before the season starts.

"I've spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson about this very subject, and their [Manchester United's] policy is that nobody at their club can comment about the football club," said Pardew. "It's probably where we should be because it's in breach of contract if you're criticising the owner, the masseur, a player - anyone at the club, in fact.

"We've notified the players this morning - they probably see it as another sort of dictatorial moment from us. We've had to issue them, legally, with a letter to say this isn't right, it's a breach of contract and you have to understand you're going to be fined and disciplined for it."

Pardew received little sympathy from Fergie, admitting: "I had none from him whatsoever. He laughed, actually. I think he quite enjoyed it.

"He shared with me, quite ferociously, the view that this Twitter issue for clubs, and particularly managers, makes it difficult when information is coming out left, right and centre. You can't have that happen.

"I didn't go down the route of discussing an outright Twitter ban with him, we were giving our letter out to the players this morning. It had to go to the lawyers and I wanted to make sure we're not stepping over the line.

"The problem I have with Twitter is that people are on there in an emotional state. Not just footballers.

"Sportsmen are an emotive people. They get in an emotional state and then put something out instantly on Twitter - it's very damaging, not only to a football club but to any organisation and it could be to the police too, which I've seen on occasion."

Pardew also left the door open for Barton to come in from the cold, despite the former Manchester City star being forced to train alone after his out-spoken comments following a dressing room bust-up with the Newcastle boss during a friendly at Leeds.

And five hours after the Newcastle players were handed the letters by the club, Barton returned to Twitter to hint at bridge-building by asking his followers: "Does anybody have Isambard Kingdom Brunel's number?"

However, a new confrontation awaits today, with Barton set to ask the club: Am I a free agent or not?

Despite Newcastle announcing the 28-year-old was available on a free transfer at the start of the week, Barton may not be allowed to go for nothing and could even be stopped from leaving at all.

The Mirror understands that representatives from TWO Premier League clubs made contact with Newcastle yesterday, alerting the Geordies that Barton could be about to get a 'major' move.

In a dramatic about-turn, Newcastle chief executive Derek Llambias then extended an olive branch to the Barton camp.

Barton, who trained with the reserves on Thursday, was stunned by development and now want to know if there is a price on his head or not.

He could be forced to go to the Premier League or the PFA if Newcastle ask for a fee for him.