Joey Barton charged with betting on *44* matches, says Scottish FA

Joey Barton has been charged with betting on 44 football matches, the Scottish Football Association has confirmed.

The Rangers midfielder is alleged to have made the bets between July 1 and September 15 this year. The former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR player has until October 12 to respond. A hearing has been set for October 27. Players, coaches, club officials and referees are banned from betting on football matches anywhere in the world, according to Scottish Football Association rules. Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen was punished for betting on 55 matches with a one game ban, while Ian Black was given a three match ban for gambling on 140 games. Barton is still serving a suspension by his club following his training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Halliday and argument with manager Mark Warburton after a 5-1 defeat in the Old Firm match with Celtic. The 34-year-old was banished from the club's training ground last week and missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Ross County at Ibrox following the row that proceeded the previous week's 5-1 Old Firm defeat. The club released a statement at the time that read:

'Joey Barton has today been suspended by the club and will not return to Ibrox or Auchenhowie for a period of three weeks. 'The manager, Mark Warburton, and club believe that time and space is required for both the club and the player to assess all that has happened. 'Neither party will make any further statement or comment on this issue.'

Neither Barton nor the club have yet commented on the latest allegations.