Outspoken Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has become embroiled in a row with former team-mate Yossi Benayoun over the Middle East crisit.
The Maccabi Haifa playmaker took exception to the ex-England international’s comments on Twitter regarding Israel’s hostilities with Hamas, an Islamist militant group running the Gaza Strip.
Benayoun captain his new side in their friendly against Lille in Austria this week but it had to be abandoned when pro-Palestinian protesters invaded the pitch and attacked players.
The feud between the two men started when Barton said: “ How can a God stand by and watch this? Or even condone this? Is this all part of his master plan?”
Benayoun replied: “Mate things can never change you have been stupid and you will stay stupid all your life. Embarrassing.”
Barton stood his ground and told the former West Ham star: “Firstly, you cannot call somebody stupid with such bad grammar. Secondly, you cannot and should not kill innocent children.
“Thirdly, you cannot remove people from their land because a fictional book from thousands of years ago tells you can.
“Last but not least, I hope you and your family are safe and well and remain so through this terrible time. Xx”