Barton handed 12-game ban

Six matches suspended for Dabo assault

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 5th September 2008

Joey Barton

Barton: 12-game ban

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Joey Barton has been handed a 12-game ban, six of which are suspended, for his training ground assault on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

Barton attacked Dabo, who is now with Lazio, in May of last year and was handed a four-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to assault earlier this year.

The Football Association's independent disciplinary commission handed down the punishment to the Newcastle United midfielder on Friday afternoon, with Barton also ordered to pay a fine of £25,000 after admitting a charge of violent conduct.

All of the suspended matches will be invoked should the one-cap England international be found guilty of any similar charge involving violence or be dismissed from the field of play for violent conduct, but not for serious foul play.

Serious attack

A statement from the commission chairman Maurice Armstrong on the FA's official website said: "Much has been written about Mr Barton over recent months.

"The Regulatory Commission had the benefit of taking all appropriate information into consideration. The Commission members considered principally the serious attack by Mr Barton that clearly cannot be accepted.

"The members also had to take into consideration the sanctions imposed by the courts and the pro-active support Mr Barton has received from Newcastle United FC and other professional bodies.

"The Commission members wanted to punish the offence appropriately but give Mr Barton an opportunity to ensure his professional conduct does not falter again and ensure he is fully aware of the consequences should he make another serious error of judgement."