England cricket star and Newcastle United fan Graeme Swann is stunned by the Joey Barton controversy.
In his column for The Sun, Swann admitted: "I came off the field after our brilliant win in the Third Test to be confronted by the latest piece of craziness from Newcastle United.
"Joey Barton has been released on a free transfer. You what? To me, letting him go is like committing hari kiri.
"I wasn't particularly a fan of Joey when he first arrived at St James' Park because, like most people, I'd read all the stuff written about him.
"But the way he played for Newcastle and the pride and commitment he showed towards the club was fantastic.
"He was our best player last season. For a guy who is meant to be difficult to control, Barton was seemingly like an angel. Somebody at the club clearly doesn't like him and he's on his way.
"He will do an unbelievable job for another club and that will be tough to take for the fans."