Barton left with egg on his face after hypocritical rant at female Prem referee
Joey Barton thinks the Premier League's first ever female referee was "fast tracked" - despite praising the move just eight days ago.
Barton has made a series of misogynist posts on social media in recent weeks after claiming "women shouldn't be talking with any kind of authority in the men's game". The ex-midfielder's latest rant came on Friday ahead of Rebecca Welch's Premier League debut.
Welch, 40, will become the first woman to referee a Premier League game when Fulham take on Burnley at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Refereeing chief Howard Webb has described Welch's historic appointment as a "pivotal moment" for the profession.
Yet Barton isn't impressed. "Fast tracked," posted the former Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood manager on X. "RW was in League 2 a couple of years ago. I’m not sure she is good enough just yet. I hope she does well because it will set women back otherwise.
"I will be surprised if she has the athletic ability to keep up with play and see the full picture to make correct calls. Hope she doesn’t slow the game down to her speed, so she can survive the physical expenditure needed at PL level. Stinks of Tokenism."
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Barton then urged his followers to "watch this space". His argument is bizarre considering all referees need to pass a fitness test to officiate in the Premier League. Some male referees have also officiated in English football's top flight beyond the age of 50.
What makes Barton's view all the more strange is the fact he praised Welch's appointment only days ago. He described it as "brilliant" and insisted she had "worked hard in the lower leagues". He also wished her the best of luck "in the big league".
Rebecca Welch will take charge of a Premier League match on Saturday (Ulrik Pedersen/Getty Images)What do you make of Joey Barton's social media posts? Let us know in the comments below!
Regardless of Barton's opinion, Welch will make history on Saturday. She's been a referee since 2010 and worked full-time in the industry since 2019. She was the first female to take charge of a game in the English Football League two-and-a-half years ago.
Welch also has a brilliant CV in the women's game. She's officiated in the Women's Super League and taken charge of two FA Cup finals. She's on FIFA's elite list and refereed at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand during the summer.
"We have not seen a female take charge of a Premier League game ever before," Webb told BBC Sport. "We have some really talented officials in the men's and women's game. Rebecca is leading that. She went to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
"She has been exposed to some big games and I am really confident she will deliver a game in the Premier League and be a really good model for women and girls to think refereeing is for them when previously they didn't."
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