Joey Barton branded a hypocrite after fans spot mistake in his tribute to Franz Beckenbauer

Joey Barton has been branded a hypocrite after fans spot a mistake in his tribute to Franz Beckenbauer.

On Sunday, German icon Franz Beckenbauer, widely regarded as one of football's greatest players, died aged 78.

Beckenbauer, nicknamed Der Kaiser, played 582 times for Bayern Munich and won the World Cup as captain of West Germany in 1974 before lifting the trophy again as manager in 1990.

As a player he also won the European Championship in 1972 and the Ballon d'Or on two occasions.

A statement from his family to German news agency DPA read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family.

"We ask that you allow us to grieve in silence and refrain from asking any questions."

Upon the announcement, tributes flooded in from the football world, including Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, the club’s honorary president Uli Hoeness and former England striker Gary Lineker.

Barton, who has caused massive controversy in recent weeks for claiming female pundits shouldn't be talking with any authority about the men's game, also delivered a tribute to the German football legend on X, formally Twitter.

The former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder said: “RIP Frank Beckenbauer. Der Kaiser.”

Naturally, fans on the social media platform were quick to call out Barton for misspelling the German’s name.

One person said: “Frank Beckenbauer? We need more people who know what they’re talking about to comment on football.”

Another added: “His first name was Franz, not Frank.

“If you're commenting on football matters you should really know what you're talking about... “

A third added: “Can’t help but feel that Joey would have penned a 700-word tweet using terms like ‘the sword of truth’ and ‘unleashing the dogs of war’ if someone with ovaries had called 2x Ballon d’Or winner Franz Beckenbauer ‘Frank’.”

A fourth said: “How is he even talking about Men’s football? He can’t even get the name right of a football legend. Joey Barton, the Jack the Ripper of football tweeting. It's time for him to disappear from this site. He's not respected or wanted. Meritocracy rules. Simple”