Barton could face further punishment over referee comments

Fleetwood manager Joey Barton faces the possibility of further punishment from the Football Association following his conduct in the defeat to Bristol Rovers last month.

Barton was handed a two-match touchline ban after being sent to the stands on December 21 and he has now been charged for the comments he made about referee Brett Huxtable in the aftermath.

An FA tweet read: "Joseph Barton has been charged following post-match comments he made about the appointed match referee for Fleetwood Town's game against Bristol Rovers on 22 December 2018.

"He has until 18:00 on 10 January 2019 to respond to the charge."

Barton branded the performance of Huxtable and his fellow officials as the worst he had seen in his entire career following a clash that also saw Ched Evans sent off as well as 11 players booked.

"Brett needs to have a serious look at his decision-making process," Barton said. "The Bristol Rovers staff we spoke to before the game were concerned because he has been here before and caused havoc.

"We needed a good referee to control what was a very good game of football and unfortunately we didn't get it."

The former Manchester City, Newcastle and England midfielder was not in the dugout for his side's FA Cup third-round loss to Portsmouth at the weekend while he will not be on the touchline for Saturday's League One clash with Oxford.