Former Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has received a one-match ban for violating betting rules while playing for the Glasgow giants, the Scottish Football Association announced on Thursday.

Joey Barton

Barton, 34, admitted breaching the SFA’s strict rules barring players betting on matches, even if they don’t involve their own club, in a bid to preserve sporting integrity.

The once-capped England midfielder placed 44 bets on matches between July 1 and September 15 this year, having signed for Rangers in May following their return to the top flight.

The Scottish Premiership club terminated Barton’s contract last week though after a short-lived and troubled spell at Ibrox.

His suspension will come into effect once he signs for a new club.