Good-behaviour incentive for Barton

Sep 6 2008

The Football Association are hoping Joey Barton will put his troubled past behind him after choosing to give the Newcastle midfielder an incentive to stay out of trouble.

There had been predictions Barton would be banned for up to 15 matches for his assault on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo, but the 26-year-old was instead handed a six-match ban - with another six suspended - and fined £25,000 at a hearing on Friday.

A statement issued on the FA's website read: "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."

The attack, which happened in May last year at City's Carrington training ground, left French midfielder Dabo in such a state he felt he "looked like the Elephant Man".

Barton pleaded guilty to the FA's charge of violent conduct in August, but the 26-year-old had requested a personal hearing to plead leniency.

Former boss Kevin Keegan, who resigned from his position on Friday, was scheduled to attend the hearing as Barton's character witness but is thought to have submitted a character statement by fax instead.

A four-man FA disciplinary panel decided on the punishment on Friday afternoon after a hearing at Soho Square.