Joey Barton faces a 15-game FA ban for training ground assualt
Published 00:00 01/08/08 By By Simon Bird
Joey Barton could be suspended for 15 games by the FA for his vicious training ground assault on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
The Newcastle midfielder is facing a ban until Christmas after the Football Association yesterday charged him with violent conduct - 15 months after the attack which took place while he was still at Manchester City.
Barton was released from prison on Monday after serving 74 days for assaulting a man in Liverpool on December 27 - and walked straight into a backlash from angry fans.
It emerged yesterday that Newcastle had dished out their own meagre punishment for that incident. Barton will no longer have use of his £20,000-a-year executive box for family and friends, or the occasional help of a club driver. But he keeps his £60,000-a-week salary after refusing to sign a new contract on half the money.
The FA are primed to throw the book at him for battering Dabo, who described himself as looking like the 'Elephant Man' because of the facial injuries he suffered.
Barton admitted in court on July 1 to causing actual bodily harm to the French midfielder in May last year and was given a four month suspended sentence.
He repeatedly punched Dabo, who was knocked unconscious and needed hospital treatment, after the pair exchanged fierce tackles in training.
The FA were powerless to act until the Dabo court case was concluded, but will now use witness statements from the hearing as evidence against Barton.
Barton has until August 13 to respond and will try to reduce his sentence by having a personal hearing, backed by Newcastle's lawyers.
The FA's move is a big personal blow to Barton's hopes of a swift rehabilitation after boss Kevin Keegan said on Monday the 25-year-old deserved a second chance.
It is also damaging to Keegan, who incurred the wrath of a section of Toon fans by personally backing Barton's return.
Barton has been left behind on Tyneside to regain his fitness while the Newcastle squad train in Mallorca this weekend and play games against Hertha Berlin and Real Mallorca.
For transfer stories and rumours throughout the day, check out our Football Spy blog
Manage your own football team - Sign up to our Fantasy Football game ...
