By Mike Keegan and Jack Gaughan for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:30 BST, 14 April 2019 | Updated: 22:30 BST, 14 April 2019
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Joey Barton faces an anxious wait to see if Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel will press charges against him following allegations of a tunnel bust-up at Oakwell.
The Fleetwood Town manager is alleged to have assaulted Stendel immediately after Barnsley's 4-2 win on Saturday.
Sources have alleged to Sportsmail that the 36-year-old former Manchester City midfielder barged into the back of his German counterpart, who fell head-first into the metal support inside the tunnel, damaging his two front teeth and leaving him bloodied and shaken.
Joey Barton is waiting to see if Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel will press charges against him
Barnsley boss Stendel had 'blood pouring from his face', according to Cauley Woodrow
After the match and ensuing incident a police officer stopped his car from leaving the ground
Later, Barton was caught up in more controversy when a woman police officer prevented his car, driven by Fleetwood chief executive Steve Curwood, from leaving the ground. The car was allowed to continue after a two-minute stand-off. Barton was not interviewed immediately by police, who had not questioned the Fleetwood manager by Sunday afternoon.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed that they had received a report of an assault and added that the matter would be 'thoroughly investigated'. They seem likely to seek a statement from Stendel.
Barnsley confirmed that they are speaking to the local constabulary.
It could spell trouble for Barton, who took over at Fleetwood after serving 13 months of an 18-month ban from football for gambling breaches. The altercation was caught on camera, although not by Fleetwood's documentary makers, who are following Barton during his debut season in management.
Sportsmail understands that Barton is confident he will not be sacked by Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley, but the Football Association will this week launch their own probe into what happened and are seeking witness accounts.
Fleetwood's hand could be forced should the FA come down hard on Barton. It is understood the incident occurred with the majority of players still out on the pitch following full-time. The atmosphere inside Barnsley's tunnel was described as 'volatile' after the alleged assault.
Barton is being investigated by police after allegedly assaulting his Barnsley counterpart
Barnsley striker Cauley Woodrow tweeted
