Former Manchester City player Joey Barton has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a man outside a golf club.
The 43-year-old, dressed in a grey zip-up fleece and wearing glasses, appeared via videolink from HMP Liverpool during a plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.
Barton denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway, Huyton, on March 8.
His co-defendant, Gary O’Grady, 50, from Huyton, Merseyside, was not required to enter a plea on the same day.
At a previous hearing, it was mentioned that the defendants had been drinking with Mr. Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club prior to the alleged incident.
Mr. Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of NexGen Academy, a special education school, reportedly suffered severe injuries to his eye.
Honorary recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, scheduled a trial date for September 1, anticipating that the proceedings will last for seven days.
The 15-minute hearing also addressed various administrative matters.
Barton, residing in Widnes, Cheshire, was remanded in custody, while O’Grady received conditional bail, supported by several family members who attended the court.
Barton, who has one cap for England, has also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley, and Marseille.
He currently hosts a podcast, “Common Sense With Joey Barton,” offering an “unfiltered” perspective on sports, society, politics, and other topics.