Barton told to set example to fans
Jul 2 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
A JUDGE yesterday told Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton he should be setting an example to fans who idolise him after sentencing him for a violent attack that left a former team-mate unconscious.
In a training ground bust-up, Barton, 25, punched his former Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo up to five times, leaving him unconscious and covered in blood on the ground.
The England international had initially denied the assault, claiming that he was acting in self-defence, but changed his plea to guilty at the last minute after learning he was likely to receive a suspended sentence.
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday heard how Frenchman Dabo was knocked unconscious in an “explosive combination of football and violence” following a training session row on May 1 last year.
Handing Barton a four- month sentence, suspended for two years, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told him: “As a professional footballer you are someone who is talented and greatly idolised by young and old alike, whether you are playing at Manchester City or now at Newcastle United.
“You are constantly in the public eye.
“You have a high profile, there would be instances of provocation ... being an idol brings with it responsibilities which you have to carry with you all the time.
“You want to be setting an example, particularly to those who idolise you, particularly youngsters who look up to you.”
The court heard how Dabo and Barton clashed after the row had simmered throughout the session.
Dabo, 31, pushed Barton’s shoulder and was knocked unconscious by his team- mate.
Eyewitnesses then recalled Barton getting on top of the player and repeatedly hitting him.
Dabo was treated in hospital for the effects of head trauma, an inflamed eye and bruised eyelids.
He also suffered from headaches for three weeks and missed several matches.
One player taking part in the training session, Georgios Samaras, said he had never seen such a violent incident on a football pitch in all his career.
He added that he would never forget the attack.
Following the assault, Barton was suspended by Manchester City before being sold to Newcastle for £5.8m last summer.
The disgraced star is currently serving a six-month prison sentence for assault and affray after a fight in Liverpool city centre on December 27 last year.
Following Barton’s sentencing Newcastle United issued the following statement: “The club now intends to hold discussions with Joey and his representatives at the earliest possible opportunity.
“Until such time that this meeting has taken place, there will be no further comment from the club.”
Frank Gilmour, of the Independent Newcastle United Supporters Club, said: “The fans I have spoken to have all said the same thing, and that is that he should be sacked. In any other occupation you would lose your job – why should he keep his?”
