Gerrard and Barton - the same but different
Stevie G and Joey B - two peas in a pod, right? Well, no. Both are Liverpudlian, professional footballers who have been charged with affray: the difference? One is world class and has led his beloved Liverpool to the European Cup, whereas the other just takes the piss out of Newcastle United.
The CCTV footage of Steven Gerrard assaulting a man in a bar has been released and doesn't differ too greatly from the footage that disgraced Joey Barton and his mates for laying into some bloke. In essence, it's the same difference. However, the reaction to each incident will differ greatly due to one being the best midfielder in the world and the other some half decent player. The word here is hypocrisy.
This time last season, Newcastle United were being urged by the media and apparent public opinion to sell or even release Barton, bought for around £5 million, from his contract. Kevin Keegan came under pressure, especially when he declared the midfielder remained in his plans. Of course, this was not Barton's first offence but it was his first while at St. James' Park.
The reaction to Gerrard will be different. Arguably, it should be worse, after all, his reputation makes him a role model nationally and worldwide. Barton was only nationally renowned because of his misdemeanours. The fact that, at best, he was a good footballer came second to his tarnished reputation. It was an accident waiting to happen and his signing was just another to add to the catalogue of errors made by this football club over recent years.
Nevertheless, Newcastle United was made to feel morally bound to remove Barton from the books. Let's see the hierarchy at Anfield come under intense questioning regarding the future of their favourite midfielder. Surely, at least, he should be stripped of the captain's armband...
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Absolute nonsense.
What a load of rubbish! There is no comparison - ever heard of "presumed innocent until proven guilty"? Let's wait and see what the jury say, then perhaps there may be an apology forthcoming!! Somehow I doubt that you are bright enough to know what that means!!
rouash
realy from what i heard gerrard allegedly threw 1st punch because he wasnt allowed to use the dex or something like that and barton threw 1st punch because some one was hastling him about his family if you ask me it is the other way around though i will say it is different as this is gerrards 1st offence and i hav enow lost count how may times barton has offended
"this was not Barton's first offence" making the BIG differnce.
I know lets just shoot Gerrard eh?
I'm a manc and I think that's the biggest load of tosh I've read in a long time
deary me
Having watched the cctv footage several times on the news, I have to agree with the prosecution that "It was never self defence in a hundred years".
Gerrard will probably be found not guilty and it will be conveniently forgotten about, but he is no less a thug than Barton, Bowyer, Hartson etc.
This article is awful and desperate, a pair of words NUFC fans will be well and truly used to by now. You cannot compare Gerrard & Barton on or off the field, Barton has plenty of previous (some he has got away with, believe I have seen him!). Stevie G ok is no angel we know that but lets face the facts here compare both players and there is no way even the most ardent of Barton supporters can compare him to Steven Gerrard, not in amillion years.
rouash
realy from what i heard gerrard threw 1st punch because he wasnt allowed to use the dex or something like that and barton threw 1st punch because some one was hastling him about his family if you ask me it is the other way around though i will say it is different as this is gerrards 1st offence and i hav enow lost count how may times barton has offended
Stop playing the victim, you bitter geordie dope. Gerrard is an honest lad and family man and this was totally out of character. Barton is a proven thug.
You've got more important things to be worrying about anyway than what's going on at Premiership clubs.
Im sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but was Barton not tried and convicted on that one incident alone? His other countless misdemeanors not taken into account? If that is the case, then Steven Gerrard should face the same punishment.
Is this what 'toon fans have taken to - avoiding the plight of their club by taking cheap swipes at other players.
There is absolutely no way Gerrard is the same as Barton. Barton is a thug - lets think about the cigar incident... enough said. Plus fighting on the pitch, numerous sendings off etc, etc.
Yes, Gerrard may have done wrong, he knows that but I doubt we will see him in rehab and getting a 100 more chances by gutless managers just yet.
You are wrong, sir, so, so wrong. I think you are so blinded by club loyalty you can't even see it.
Barton's phone box attack was much much worse by the way.
No matter how you want to look at it, it's not the same as Barton is a serial thug who has learnt nothing. However, Gerrard should be prosecuted and should be punished if found guilty, and if that's a custodial sentence then he should serve it as assault is assault no matter who you are. He has also brought both the game and his club into disrepute and as a role model is not fit to be club captain. For some balance here, lets not pretend he's whiter than white on the field either, after all, he virtually trademarked the two footed, studs up, over the ball tackle (and no, I don't support either club and have no opinion of Gerrard either way!).
You Liverpool fans are unbelievable, the similarities between what Barton did and what Gerrard allegedly did are there for all to see. Both reacted stupidly to provocation.
The defence that Gerrard has no previous where as Barton did is laughable - if I went out and killed somebody would it be ok as long as it was my first time and I hadnt done it before??
Yes Gerrard has yet to be found guilty but the media presumed Barton to be guilty before his trial so why not the same with Gerrard?
Im no fan of Barton but this just stinks of double standards. There were calls for Barton to be banned from football, wonder if those same people will be calling for the same for Golden Boy Gerrard if he gets found guilty??
Newcastle United? They're that team that used to be in the premiership aren't they, just like Oxford and Coventry used to be in the top division?
This article is a good example of the retarded thinking of the 'best fans in the world'.
How are you getting on finding a new manager by the way? I hear Chris Waddle is available. He understands the cloob, go for him. Otherwise there's always p'er be'uslee.
This is from a desperate fan who is wishing his club still playing in the EPL. The day i found out Newcastle got relegated me & all my mates went out to celebrate your beloved club's demotion.
Aside from that HOW THE HELL CAN U COMPARE GERARD - THE MAN WITH A HALO ABOVE HIS HEAD AND A LEGEND IN HIS OWN RIGHT TO A THUG IN BARTON - THE MAN WITH HORNS ON HIS FOREHEAD???
FACT:Barton is a Newcastle player FULL STOP.
While I wouldn't wish to whitewash Gerrard, you cannot compare him to a thug like Barton. As for those of you moaning about this piece, it's the Chronic. What were you expecting? Journalism?
philC, Sorry I can't understand what your saying, can you translate it into English please?
Not Guilty verdict - any apology from this moronic Geordie yet? I won't hold my breath!
What remains is footage of a professional athlete throwing three punches at a man who has just been elbowed in the face. It would appear the saying that offence is the best form of defence doesn’t just apply to sport.
I do not see how the Gerrard incident and Barton incident differ.
Look what the trial judge said after the NG verdict - 'What at first sight to the casual observer may seem to have been a clear-cut case against you of unlawful violence, has been nowhere near as clear-cut upon careful analysis of the evidence.'
Perhaps now you can see how stupid you have been made to look. Apology yet?
The fact remains, Stephen Gerrard repeatedly punched another person whether it be in self defence or not. Surely this is completely unacceptable for a person that is admired by so many or by anyone for that matter? There can never be any good reason for him to do this even if it was to "defend" himself, all i can say is Stevie G has certainly come down in my books. You can take the boy out of the council estate, but you can't take the council estate out of the boy it seems.