United just don’t give a damn – Barton victim

Jul 3 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

THE footballer assaulted by Joey Barton in a training ground bust-up has criticised Newcastle United for not sacking the player.

The club is said to be considering its options on Barton and has issued a statement saying it will hold discussions with him when he is released from jail.

This week Barton was given a four-month suspended sentence, having pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to the attack on former Manchester City team mate Ousmane Dabo.

He is currently serving six months in prison for assaulting a man outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Liverpool last December.

Yesterday Frenchman Dabo, now with Italian club Lazio, revealed Barton had yet to apologise for attacking him.

“This is not the first time he has had trouble with the law,” he said. “He attacked some people in Liverpool recently.

“English clubs teach you lots of lessons, but in this case they truly lack ethics and morals.

“Newcastle have invested a lot in this guy and they do not want to lose a lot of money. The club does not care a damn about the law – and it shocks me.” Barton had initially denied the assault, claiming he had acted 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 heard Dabo was knocked unconscious in an “explosive combination of football and violence” after a training session row on May 1 last year.

“I almost lost an eye,” Dabo said. “It was a terrible day, but now I am happy with the outcome.

“Barton admits he attacked me, struck me from behind and beat me when I was unconscious.

“He admits he behaved in a cowardly way, and he is a coward. We met one another on Monday. He was in one corner and me in another.

“He did not talk to me or apologise. But it did not trouble me to see him again.”

On Monday, the court heard Dabo, 31, had pushed Barton’s shoulder after a row simmered throughout the training session.

Barton then knocked Dabo unconscious and witnesses recalled Barton getting on top of the player and repeatedly hitting him.

Dabo was treated in hospital for head trauma, an inflamed eye and bruised eyelids.

Newcastle United was unavailable for comment last night.