JOEY BARTON is facing a maximum '142,000 fine after he accidentally burnt a reserve player's eyelid with a cigar butt during a fracas at City's Christmas party.

It is understood the former England Under-21 midfielder, who scored the Blues' winning goal at Bolton on Saturday, has narrowly avoided the sack after the club launched an immediate investigation into the horrific incident at the now infamous fancy dress festive party at the city centre Lucid nightclub.

The injured player, Jamie Tandy - an 18-year-old reserve team player and a product of the club's academy - has been treated in hospital twice and also by the club doctor and last night was still suffering from blurred vision 48 hours after the incident.

Barton, who had earlier been telling onlookers he now earns '27,000 a week, had been seen larking around with a cigar and stubbing it onto fancy dress clothing worn by other players. During the investigation held at City's Carrington training ground by club director and lawyer Bryan Bodek and club secretary Bernard Halford, it was established that Tandy took exception to Barton's behaviour and attempted to ignite his T-shirt with a cigarette lighter.

It was then that Barton's lit cigar injured Tandy's top and bottom left eyelid.

Tandy and Barton, who in the past have not had a friendly relationship, then became involved in a brawl which was broken up by the other players.

Tandy was taken to a hospital casualty unit and, later that morning, reported to Carrington for physio treatment on a knee injury, where the club doctor treated his damaged eyelid.

He has since been to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and, although he is likely to be permanently scarred, his vision will return to normal now the ash has been cleaned out.

During the investigation, Barton stressed it was an accident.

Apologise

He attempted to apologise to Tandy before training yesterday but relations between the two players remain strained.

Manager Kevin Keegan has been kept fully informed about the incident and is both disappointed at their conduct and angry that either of them could have been seriously injured.

The club regards the incident as gross misconduct. Under the terms of players' contracts they could be sacked once the Professional Football Association have been informed, but it is more likely Barton will be fined '142,000. Tandy will also be docked the maximum six weeks wages, around '5,000.

A club insider told M.E.N. Sport last night: 'Team morale is excellent and incidents like this have the potential to damage that. It is an absolutely stupid thing to have happened which could have had much more serious implications.

"Barton has been trying to apologise but Tandy is not blameless. There are a lot of angry people around at the club but it is more likely the pair of them will be heavily fined."

A club spokesman said: 'We are aware of an incident between two players at the Christmas party. An internal investigation was carried out promptly and the matter is being dealt with internally.'

The players, some of whom were dressed as Batman and Robin, had earlier in the evening been stunned by an irate supporter who confronted star striker Nicolas Anelka.

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