- Mary Earps was announced as the winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year
- Joey Barton posted a series of scathing messages following the results of the public vote
- IAN LADYMAN: I'd rather watch a match at my local school than Man City in the Club World Cup – It all starts
Joey Barton has crowned England goalkeeper Mary Earps as sports personality of the year as the former footballer hit out at 'BBC nonsense' after the public vote in his latest social media rant.
Earps had been the overwhelming favorite to win the annual gong in Salford, and she followed tennis star Emma Raducanu and England teammate Beth Mead in receiving the award at a glittering ceremony on Tuesday evening.
The award confirmed the growth of women's football with consecutive winners, as well as Earp's rising profile in recent years.
Earps, who was part of the victorious England squad at the European Championships in 2022, helped the Lionesses reach the Women's World Cup final for the first time in Australia and New Zealand.
Barton had initially posted “Well done Mary” on X, formerly Twitter, after Earps was announced as the winner.
England star Mary Earps was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Tuesday evening
Joey Barton struck after public voted for 'female goalkeeper' to win coveted BBC award
He made an about-face Wednesday in a series of posts blasting a “culture of snowflakes” and insisting Earps “didn't win a sausage” this year.
'Sports personality of the year, more nonsense. Well done to everyone involved,” Barton said.
He added: “So the best athlete this year is… A female goalkeeper.
'Lost in a few finals this year. No sausage won. So popular that Nike didn't even sell a replica shirt before the tournament. Are you telling me that all those who jumped on that bandwagon didn't vote for the BBC nonsense?
'Good luck to Maria. I hope she earns a few quid.'
Barton, who has generated headlines for his rant about whether women in football should be broadcastingcontinued his tirade with an attack aimed at Earps.
He insisted horse racing legend Frankie Dettori or snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan should have won the prize.
'To win ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Frankie Dettori…? Well, that's just madness to me. Both almost geniuses in their respective fields. They lost to a big bag of spuds playing in goal for a girls team,” Barton added.
Barton denounced a “culture of snowflakes” and launched a personal attack on Earps
The former football player previously congratulated Earps before a series of devastating messages
'That's the world we live in. It all started with the sports days 'Everyone is a winner'.
'This is what happens when you celebrate mediocrity. You are breeding this weak culture. A culture of losers. A culture of snowflakes.'
Earps, who finished fifth in this year's women's Ballon d'Or, had described winning the annual BBC award as the 'ultimate all-round sporting accolade'.
“This is just… wow. It hasn't been the easiest journey. “I wouldn't be here without the help of so many, people who have stood by me through the not so great times,” she said.
“I've done more than I ever imagined.”
Barton's sexist views have sparked controversy in recent weeks, with the former midfielder also taking aim at the BBC.
Last week he blamed “wokeness” and “poor quality guests” for the cancellation of long-running quiz show A Question of Sport.
Barton also renewed his attack on Football Focus presenter Alex Scott by claiming the show would be cancelled, after calling it 'nonsense' and 'nonsense'.
Scott indirectly took a swipe at Barton on X when he promoted her book How To Be Strong.
She wrote: I have no podcast to promote or the need to use a platform like this to bully and belittle others. I do have a Sunday Times bestseller that's still available, and all proceeds go directly to @RefugeCharity #staywinning