NEWCASTLE United midfielder Joey Barton has been handed a 12-match suspension and a £25,000 fine after his assualt on his then Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
At an independent FA Regulatory Commision, the 26-year-old was hit with the verdict, although six of the 12-match ban are suspended until the end of the 2009-10 season.
Barton is suspended for six matches with immediate effect. The suspended sanct
ion of six further matches will be automatically invoked in full should Barton 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).
A statement from the independent Regulatory Commission Chairman Maurice Armstrong 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."
The full article contains 239 words and appears in Shields Gazette newspaper.
