QPR wanted to sack Joey Barton yesterday, it has been revealed.

The Rs stripped Barton of the club captaincy and handed him a massive fine after an internal investigation of his meltdown at Manchester City.

The Daily Mail says the club were forced to rule out the option of sacking the midfielder for gross misconduct.

The west London club are determined to ship him out of Loftus Road one way or another and hoped his violent tirade would have opened the door to terminating his contract. However, after taking legal advice the club were informed they did not have sufficient grounds to sack Barton.