Joey Barton's Twitter feuds are numerous and legendary. The QPR midfielder is regularly involved in petty spats with everyone from Piers Morgan to Didi Hamann. The content of these spats is pretty much what you'd expect from someone who doesn't have the greatest of reputations within football, or outside it for that matter.
However, Barton's latest row may get him a few more fans. He sent a tweet condemning the recent Israeli military action in Gaza. Now were not saying that Barton is any kind of genius in relation to international politics, but he is at least entitled to express his opinion.
If this was anybody else but Israel the West would intervene. It cannot continue. Innocent children being slaughtered. This must stop.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 25, 2014
That prompted a reply from former Liverpool and Chelsea winger Yossi Benayoun. The Israeli international recently returned to his homeland to play for Maccabi Haifa, having last played with Barton at QPR last season. Benayoun seemed to suggest that Barton's well publicised misdeeds disqualified him from having an opinion on the matter.
@Joey7Barton mate things can never changed you have been stupid and you will stay stupid all your life..embarrassing .
— Yossi Benayoun (@YossiBenayoun15) July 25, 2014
Barton's response began in a typically Barton feud-esque manner but what followed could be described as some genuinely, relative to his past at least, eloquent and well thought out musings on the conflict.
@YossiBenayoun15 Firstly, you cannot call somebody stupid with such bad grammar. Secondly, you cannot and should not kill innocent children.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 25, 2014
@YossiBenayoun15 Thirdly, you cannot remove people from their land because a fictional book from thousands of years ago tells you can.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 25, 2014
@YossiBenayoun15 Last but not least, I hope you and your family are safe and well and remain so through this terrible time. xx
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 25, 2014
