Stuart Pearce has pledged to back Joey Barton 'all the way' as the row over the Manchester City man's tackle on Pedro Mendes at Fratton Park last Saturday continues to rumble on.
Although the FA are still investigating allegations that Barton made obscene gestures as he left the field following City's 2-1 defeat, Soho Square chiefs have confirmed they will take no further action over the midfielder's tackle because referee Mike Dean cautioned him at the time.
That has not stopped Pompey boss Harry Redknapp reigniting the debate, insisting Barton should receive a three-match ban and declaring anyone who felt the new England international had accidentally trodden on Mendes' Achilles 'needed their head examining'.
'There have been times when Joey has been out of line and I have let him know that, but this is not one of them,' Pearce told the Manchester Evening News.
'If Joey has done wrong, he knows that I will tell him. That is the only way people learn.
'But I will back him all the way in this instance.'
