Manchester City claim the Football Association should have treated Joey Barton's shorts-dropping antics as a trivial matter - and insist there was no call for a charge of improper conduct.

The City midfielder is expected to be fined after baring his backside in front of Everton supporters at the end of last Saturday's Barclays Premiership match.

Club spokesman Paul Tyrrell said: "It is deeply disappointing that the Football Association have decided to charge Joey Barton with improper conduct. The player accepts that some elements of his behaviour following the game with Everton were ill advised and he apologises to anybody who may have felt offended."