Kinnear condemns Barton treatment

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Barton treatment 'unacceptable' - Kinnear

Newcastle's interim manager Joe Kinnear has hit out at Sunderland fans for throwing missiles at Joey Barton during their game on Saturday.

The midfielder was targeted as he warmed up on the sidelines before coming on for Nicky Butt during the 2-1 derby defeat.

"He had bottles thrown at him. It was bang out of order - we must keep this out of football," said Kinnear.

"All he was guilty of was warming up on the side of the pitch."

Kinnear praised Barton for his behaviour as he made his first appearance since completing a six-match ban for assaulting his former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo on the training ground.

"I felt sorry for him, but thankfully he kept his cool and went on the pitch," added Kinnear.

"He didn't panic and didn't have a grudge against the Sunderland fans."

I am playing Joey Barton because he is a good player Joe Kinnear

Barton infuriated the home fans when he kissed his badge in their direction during Newcastle's first loss on Wearside for 28 years.

The game ended with fans from the two clubs clashing and police made 29 arrests during the day, while the Football Association has vowed to investigate.

Kinnear had been criticised for including Barton in the squad for the game, but the manager said: "I have got to do the best I possibly can with the squad I have.

"I am not going to listen to people or pay lip-service to anybody. I am playing Joey Barton because he is a good player.

"I am not going to have anybody else tell me different."

Barton joined the Magpies from City in June 2007 in a £5.8m deal, four months after he made his full England debut.

But his time at Newcastle has been overshadowed by his disciplinary problems, including a six-month jail term for assault.

Before his return to the Newcastle side, he said he wanted to turn over a new leaf and be seen as a role model for people looking to turn their lives around.