The far right English Defence League's support group have this afternoon claimed that Premiership footballer, Joey Barton has lent his support to their ranks and joined the organisation.
The Queens Park Rangers player is pictured with his arm around EDL leader and convicted football hooligan, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. It is unclear where and when the photo was taken or whether he knew who Yaxley-Lennon was .
QPR has staunchly supported the Show Racism the Red Card campaign and was one of the first Clubs to reach preliminary levels of the Racial Equality Standard. News that Barton is allegedly supporting the EDL's anti Muslim stance will directly confict with this.

Barton joined QPR earlier this season after previously playing for Manchester City and Newcastle United.
Last year the English Defence League claimed that Katy Price (also known as Jordan) had lent her support after having her photo taken, a claim that was vigorously denied by her.
EDL News thinks that this is a desperate attempt by the EDL to gain some credibility in the face of dwindling demo numbers and internal problems. We have asked Queens Park Rangers for comment.
UPDATED: QPR and Joey Barton have denied any such links. Click here for more.