QPR must decide on Barton appeal

Queen's Park Rangers must decide today whether or not to appeal Joey Barton's red card to the Football Association, who could yet take disciplinary action themselves against the club for post-match comments.

Conned! Barton risks FA rap for tweet rage after head-butt red card  

Barton had given Rangers an early lead at Loftus Road yesterday, before then getting involved in a tussle with Bradley Johnson, and appearing to headbutt the Norwich midfielder.

Initially, play had continued before eventually referee Neil Swarbrick consulted his assistant on the near side, and then produced a red card. Norwich went on to win through goals from Anthony Pilkington and Steve Morison, which leaves QPR just above the relegation zone.

In his post-match press conference, Rangers manager Warnock claimed he held little hope of lodging a successful appeal against what is set to be a three-match ban for violent conduct.

The west London club have to state their intentions to the governing body by the next working day after a match, and then also present supporting evidence ahead of a disciplinary hearing, which would convene and make a decision ahead of the weekend's FA Cup third round tie at MK Dons.

Television footage from the game initially proved inconclusive, with no real close-ups because of the position of cameras at the antiquated west London venue - although what is clear from the long-range pictures is Barton does clash with first Norwich defender Zak Whitbread and then Johnson in the centre circle ahead of directly squaring up to the Canaries midfielder.

Warnock branded Johnson a "disgrace" for his perceived over-reaction, while Barton immediately took to Twitter to launch an impassioned defence against what he viewed as a "ridiculous decision", claiming the officials had been "conned".

Barton added: "Why don't they copy rugby and cite incidents instead of taking a blind stab at decisions? Theres too much money involved for guesswork.

"Respect the officials campaigns am all for it, think our officials get a hard time of it but respect is a 2 way thing. Hopefully its rescinded and although its frustrating for our club, justice will albeit far too late prevail."

It is understood the FA are to review QPR's post-match comments from manager and captain before deciding whether any action needs to be taken.

However, while those statements may well be overlooked, the club could face sanction over an apparent Tweet from director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.

The message, which was soon deleted, is reported to have hit out at the referee being "biased and blind".

A fresh Tweet has since appeared from Gnanalingam, saying simply: "EPL should consider video evidence for red cards. The 4th official is there and can communicate with ref immediately."

In September, the FA wrote to QPR owner Tony Fernandes for Tweeting "this referee is blind" when Michael Oliver failed to award a penalty against Aston Villa despite a clear handball by defender Alan Hutton.

Norwich midfielder Johnson, meanwhile, was pictured at the PDC World Darts Championship final last night with a placard mocking the QPR captain. It read: "Barton, your breath stinks".

Bradley Johnson pictured with 'Barton your breath stinks' sign on Twitter  

While Barton's red card captured the headlines, the defeat was a ninth in the last 11 games for Rangers.

Warnock is expected to further strengthen his squad during the January transfer window, having named on loan Manchester United striker Federico Macheda among the substitutes yesterday, as the west London club look to pull clear of the bottom three.

Veteran defender Clint Hill, 33, insists the whole squad will be up for the challenges ahead.

He told the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk: "Our recent slip down the table is alarming, of course it is.

"No one likes losing games. What is important is that we pull together and stop the rot.

"We have got to try and pick ourselves up now for what is going to be one hell of a battle."

QPR have allowed midfielder Jason Puncheon to return to Southampton following just two appearances in his loan spell.