QPR's Barton Says Sorry For Getting Red Card

Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton took to social media to apologise to his teammates and fans for his sending off in the 2-1 defeat to Hull City.

Youngster Darnell Furlong had been booked for a challenge on Nikica Jelavic and Barton was talking to the referee about the booking before getting involved in a row with Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone in the 33rd minute.

The QPR captain punched Huddlestone in the groin and referee Anthony Taylor responded by flashing a red card at the midfielder, who had been booked in his seven previous Premier League games.

Even with 10 men, QPR were on course for a vital point at the KC Stadium, after Charlie Austin had cancelled out Jelavic's opener, but Dame N'Doye grabbed an 89th minute winner against the 10 men.

Barton tweeted: "I've apologised to the lads and would like to apologise to all QPR fans who travelled today.

"I'm gutted I got sent off. I've let my teammates down today and being someone who puts the team above everything else I'm gutted about that.

"My actions towards Huddlestone were certainly not malicious, it was a stupid reaction to being barged, but I can appreciate it wasn't right.

"I've tried to prevent Hull's players influencing referee as u can see by me pushing Bruce away.

"Young kid making his debut has made a good tackle. Couple of Hull players trying to get him sent off. My job as captain is to protect him."