Barton Sentenced For Training Ground Assault

Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been given a four-month suspended sentence for attacking a former teammate during a training ground row.

In May 2007, the 25-year-old midfielder repeatedly punched his then Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo as the victim lay on the ground.

At Manchester Minshull Crown Court on Monday, Barton admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The two players had become embroiled in a row and 31-year-old Dabo pushed Barton away. Barton retaliated by striking Dabo and causing him to lose consciousness.

The attack was witnessed by a number of Manchester City players, who saw Barton continue to attack his dazed teammate. One player suggested Barton had punched Dabo five times.

Richard Vardon of the prosecution told the court that the incident was an "explosive combination of football and violence".

Dabo required hospital treatment for facial injuries as a result of the attack.

Both players have since left Manchester City. Barton signed for Newcastle United in July 2007 while Frenchman Dabo moved to Italian side Lazio in January of this year.

It is the third occasion that Barton has appeared in court in 2008. He is currently serving a six-month jail term for attacking a man outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool city centre in December 2007. The attack, which happened while Barton was on bail, was caught on CCTV.

Last month he was cleared of vandalising a taxi during a night out in his native Merseyside.

See: Premiership Midfielder Barton Jailed For Attack

(DS)