Ex-England footballer Joey Barton's assault trial in Sheffield delayed by a year

Barton, who manages Fleetwood Town, was due to stand trial at Sheffield Crown Court this week over an alleged assault on former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel.

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But during a hearing yesterday, the case was delayed for a year due to the coronavirus outbreak and the football season.

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Barton, 37, is accused of pushing Mr Stendel in the tunnel at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium in April 2019, after Fleetwood lost 4-2.

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The former England international was excused from attending yesterday’s hearing, where a new trial date was fixed for June 7, 2021.

Barristers told the court that holding the trial during the football season could cause ‘difficulties’ for both Barton and Mr Stendel, who is currently managing Scottish side Heart of Midlothian.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said it was unfortunate to have such an ‘enormous’ delay but the new date was ‘realistic’ as the case would not be classed as a priority when trials are resumed at the court after the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “This case cannot take priority, for example, over an allegation of a serious sexual offence, a case involving children of one type or another, either as defendants or alleged victims, or cases of exceptionally serious violence. I cite those merely as examples of cases which would take priority.

“This case, although serious for those involved, is not, on any analysis, to be regarded as a priority case. Accordingly, it will be low in the level of case to be tried.

“I should add, for the sake of completeness, that is no-one's fault. It is simply a statement of the obvious in the midst of the current Covid-19 national emergency.

“It is most unfortunate that that date is now over a year away, but I suspect this case will not be the only one that is adjourned for that period of time away, given the current crisis.”

Barton pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing.