Joey Barton blasts "ridiculous red card"

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton was not impressed by the performance of referee Paul Tierney during the Hoops' 1-0 defeat to Leicester City on Saturday.

The Lancashire official held play up for over four minutes during the first half due to a grey squirrel entering the field of play at Loftus Road.

Tierney then sent Barton off late in the game, after issuing two yellow cards in quick succession, the second of which appeared to be for dissent.

After the game, Barton wrote on Twitter: "The most ridiculous red card ever. If that is two yellows the game has gone.

"Will have to refrain from commenting on the referee for fear of furthering a one match ban. It would help if we had full time referees IMO. Ah well, the way they handled the squirrel summed it up."

Tierney has now issued seven red cards this season, including three during last month's League Two clash between Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers.