Joey Barton threatens to 'punch Roy Keane's head in' as he calls him a 'b****nd' - after the former Man United hardman revealed he planned to quit punditry over the abuse he receives

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Joey Barton has slammed Roy Keane, labelling him a 'b****nd', before he challenged the Sky Sports pundit to a charity boxing match. 

Former Man United hardman Keane, 53, was involved in a heated pitch-side exchange with Ipswich fans last weekend after the Red Devils' game against the Tractor Boys.

While working for Sky Sports, Keane responded to relentless taunts from a section of fans at Portman Road, where he once managed, before offering to meet one supporter in the car park.

The broadcaster subsequently launched an investigation into what happened, but Mail Sport reported how Sky have remained tight-lipped over the result of their probe, while Keane will appear as part of their coverage for Liverpool vs Man City on Sunday.

And, following the incident, controversial former Man City and Newcastle midfielder Barton took aim at Keane and insisted he was fed up with the Irishman.

'Keane's a b*****nd,' Barton fumed on his Common Sense podcast. 'Keane's started doing my cap in as well. 

Joey Barton threatened to 'punch Roy Keane's head in' as he slammed the Sky Sports pundit

Barton's comments come after Keane was involved in an altercation with Ipswich supporters

The controversial former Man City midfielder was speaking on his Common Sense podcast

'And if he wants a Misfits charity boxing match I'll happily punch Roy Keane's head in, if anybody wants to get that on. 

'Especially for offering out an Ipswich fan who's shouting at him saying I'll meet you in the car park. 

'And I'm like shut up Roy, you b*****nd.'

Barton's comments come after Keane has spoken this season about his desire to be out of punditry in the next year because of all the abuse he has received.

At a match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium last season he was headbutted by a fan, who was later convicted and handed a three-year football banning order - and Keane subsequently referred to that incident in a podcast. 

He said: 'I'll struggle for the next 10 months doing this (punditry). I love football, but the hassle of matches, getting to games, and the hassle of fans. 

'I was in court a few months ago with somebody headbutting me do you think I enjoy that side of it? Absolutely not.

'The games are fine. Getting to the games, parking up, people shouting your name good stuff, bad stuff it's a nuisance.'

Barton also challenged Keane to a charity boxing match as he labelled him as a 'b****nd'

Keane has previously spoken about his desire to quit punditry over the abuse he has received

Barton's outburst towards Keane is the latest controversial comment from the 42-year-old after he previously spoke out against former England star and pundit Eni Aluko.

Back in July, Barton was charged with alleged 'malicious communications' towards Aluko - and branded the legal system a 'banana republic' in response. 

The 42-year-old, who has pleaded his innocence, is set to face a three-day trial over the matter next May.

In January, the former Premier League footballer had compared Aluko and fellow pundit Lucy Ward to the serial killers Fred and Rose West. 

After Aluko covered Crystal Palace's FA Cup draw with Everton on January 4 with Ward, Barton had written: 'How is she even talking about men's football? 

'She can't even kick a ball properly. Your coverage of the EFC game last night, took it to a new low. Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary.'

The Wests murdered 12 women and young girls over the course of 20 years. Fred took his own life before facing trial while Rose was sentenced to 10 life terms. She remains in prison aged 70.

Barton then stoked the fire further by making his criticism even more extreme, writing that Aluko was 'clearly in the Joseph Stalin category' for 'murdering hundreds of thousands of fans' ears'.

In July, Barton was charged with alleged 'malicious communications' towards Eni Aluko

He compared Aluko to serial killers and claimed the pundit was in the 'Joseph Stalin category' 

In February, Aluko accused Barton of subjecting her to 'one of the worst cases of social media abuse I've ever experienced'.

Barton also lost a libel case against broadcaster Jeremy Vine earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Barton caused further controversy in the summer when he backed Mason Greenwood's move to Marseille despite many fans reacting furiously to his arrival.

Livid Marseille fans launched a #GreenwoodNotWelcome campaign after initial links, but Barton, who played for the Ligue 1 side in 2012-13, was adamant that he 'deserves a chance'. 

'That is a great signing. This kid deserves a chance to get on with his career,' Barton wrote on X. 

'We all make mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. England would have won the Euros with this kid in the side.

'He’s as good a player as any in that Euros squad. His behaviour and the public fallout has massively affected his performance, yet he went to an average team in Spain and got himself back on track!'