THE football authorities’ failure to challenge Joey Barton’s remarks about female pundits highlights the sport’s cultural immaturity, Kick It Out chief executive Tony Burnett has said.

Former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR midfielder Barton described ITV pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward as “the Fred and Rose West of football commentary” in January and has questioned the role of female commentators within the men’s game.

ITV condemned Barton’s comments as “vindictive” and Aluko spoke out later the same month about the impact they had on her, and the further online abuse they triggered.