Barton banned for six matches

3:26pm Friday 5th September 2008

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DISGRACED Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been banned for six games, with another six suspended, following a training-ground assault on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

A Football Association disciplinary committee met this afternoon to decide on the punishment.

Barton had previously admitted the charge of violent conduct and was fined £25,000 at the hearing in London.

In July, Barton received a four-month suspended prison sentence for the assault, which occurred in May 2007.

Former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan, who quit on Thursday, did not appear at the hearing in person, but instead faxed his support.

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 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 judgment."

** READ MORE NEWCASTLE UNITED NEWS IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **