Barton hopes to escape with fine

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton is expected to be fined after admitting a charge of improper conduct brought for dropping his shorts in front of Everton supporters.

The 24-year-old has requested a personal hearing and will appear at a Football Association disciplinary commission on Wednesday. However, now that he has admitted the charge it is understood the midfielder is likely to be fined rather than suspended.

The FA said in a statement: "Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has admitted a charge of improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute and requested a personal hearing. The charge related to Barton's conduct following the final whistle of City's match against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday September 30."

Barton bared his backside twice after being taunted by Everton fans. He will tell the disciplinary comission he was being targeted by fans about his half-brother Michael, who is serving a 17-year-old prison sentence for a racist murder in Liverpool.

City had criticised the FA's decision to charge the midfielder because of the context of the offence, and stressed Barton had not reacted aggressively to the taunts.

Club spokesman Paul Tyrrell said at the weekend: "The player accepts that some elements of his behaviour following the game with Everton were ill advised and he apologises to anybody who may have felt offended.

"He has been reminded of his responsibilities as a custodian of this football club but we do not believe his actions warrant any further investigation.

"We believe the FA should have taken into account the context of the incident and noted he behaved without any malice, and in a light-hearted manner."