Joey Barton is at the centre of a police investigation over the alleged assault of Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel.

The Fleetwood boss and Stendel clashed in the tunnel at the end of Barnsley’s 4-2 victory at Oakwell.

According to reports on the BBC, players, club officials and police apparently had to pull Barton off the Barnsley boss, who had ‘blood pouring from his face’, according to one eyewitness.

Joey Barton is being investigated by police after allegedly assaulting his Barnsley counterpart

Police prevented Barton from leaving Oakwell after the match, which was caught on camera

Police stopped Joey Barton from leaving Oakwell as they investigate an alleged assault by the Fleetwood manager on Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 13, 2019

Barnsley confirmed in a statement that an incident took place and police are investigating

Later, Barton was filmed being prevented from leaving the car park by a club official and a South Yorkshire police officer.

Barton was questioned by police and it is understood they will speak to Barton again this week as part of a voluntary interview.

In a statement, Barnsley said: ‘The club can confirm there was an alleged incident in the tunnel area that took place following the conclusion of today’s match, which South Yorkshire police are currently investigating. The club are assisting the police with their enquiries.’

Barton, whose career as a player and now as a manager has been blighted by controversy, seemed to have ignited the ill-feeling by leaving his technical area to square up to Stendel towards the end of the League One fixture.

The managers had a heated exchange at full time which continued down into the tunnel area

Sources have told The Mail on Sunday that there was bad feeling between the pair throughout the game. At one point a member of Fleetwood’s coaching team stepped between the pair as things looked likely to boil over while a yellow card was shown to a member of Barton’s staff.

At the final whistle further words were exchanged between the managers before Stendel headed off down the tunnel, followed by Barton. It was then that the former Manchester City midfielder allegedly assaulted the German, who required medical attention.

Barnsley striker Cauley Woodrow, who scored in his side’s victory, immediately tweeted: ‘Firstly @ftfc to have a manager that can physically assault another manager in the tunnel is disgusting, causing our manager to have blood pouring from his face!!

‘People like you don’t deserve a place in the game of football — you are foul. Secondly, fantastic win today @BarnsleyFC.’

It is believed Stendel, 45, lost teeth in the clash. Both clubs cancelled their post-match media conferences.

Sky cameras then captured the incredible moment when Barton tried to leave the Oakwell car park with Fleetwood’s CEO Steve Curwood, only for a police officer and a security guard to stop their car as it raced towards the exit.

Barnsley boss Stendel had 'blood pouring from his face' according to Cauley Woodrow

It is understood that Barnsley had locked the car park gates in an attempt to prevent Barton from making a getaway.

Fleetwood declined to comment on the allegation of assault on Stendel on Saturday night.

This is 36-year-old Barton’s first year in management and it followed a turbulent career playing for Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR, Marseille, Burnley and Rangers. He was also capped once by England.

Barton’s playing career was marred by disciplinary problems and he was also twice convicted on charges of violence, serving part of a six-month sentence in 2008 following an assault in Liverpool. While in prison he was also handed a four-month suspended sentence following an assault the previous year on his Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo.

Four years earlier he was fined six weeks’ wages for stubbing a lit cigar in the eye of a young team-mate during Manchester City’s Christmas party.

Barton was banned for 12 matches in May 2012 for violent conduct when playing for QPR and his playing career was ended at Burnley two years ago after being banned from the game for 18 months on betting charges.

He has also courted controversy during his 10 months at Fleetwood. In January he was hit with a £2,000 fine and given a two-week touchline ban after criticising officials following his side’s defeat by Bristol Rovers.