Joey Barton charged with betting offences by FA

Joey Barton has been charged by the Football Association with misconduct relating to betting offences.

Barton is alleged to have placed 1,260 bets on football matches - breaking FA rule E8 - over a 10-year period, from 26 March 2006 and 13 May 2016.

Sky Sports News HQ understands the FA has only just concluded its investigations and was only recently informed of the betting patterns by a bookmaker.

There are no details of which matches he is alleged to have bet on but it is likely that these games will include domestic fixtures.

Barton, who has just re-joined Burnley, will have until January 5 to answer the charges.

The 34-year-old was handed a one-match suspension for breaking Scottish Football Association betting rules during his short stint at Rangers.

The midfielder admitted breaching the SFA's zero-tolerance rules, which forbid players gambling on any match.

He placed 44 bets on games between July 1, 2016 - when his Ibrox deal started - and September 15.

His Scottish suspension will carry over into his Burnley career.

Burnley released a short statement on Friday confirming they were aware of the charge and would discuss the issue with Barton.

"Burnley Football Club have today been made aware of FA charges brought against Joey Barton relating to historical betting on football matches," it read.

"The club will be discussing the matter with Joey and his legal representatives and will be making no further comment on the matter at this time."