Joey Barton and Blackburn Rovers become embroiled in spat after he posted an old video of the town… as the club order him NOT to ‘bring our town’ into his ‘public meltdown’ and he hits back

Blackburn Rovers have become the latest voice in football to reprimand Joey Barton after he shared a video reflecting on the city’s past.

The ex-Manchester City footballer shared a video of schoolchildren walking through the city streets and suggested we ‘never talk about equality’ instead of ‘diversity, equality and inclusivity’.

In response, the club wrote: “Hey Joey, if you could have your public meltdown without involving our city that would be great. Thank you.’

Barton had written: ‘120 years ago in Blackburn, England. We talk about diversity, equity and inclusion. We never talk about equality.

‘Who did the work. Who built the places. Who fought in the wars. Who paid the taxes. Who built and maintained these communities.

‘We must not forget our past. While we want to improve our future.’

After Blackburn hit him back, Barton took to the comments section to engage with X users.

He wrote: ‘Clearly some rainbow flag waving, pro-self-demanding, university-educated neo-Marxist has access to the @Rovers Twitter account. Does this idiot speak for the people of the region?

More to follow.