Barton banned for six matches for assault

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was banned Friday for six matches – with another six suspended – and fined 25,000 pounds for assaulting team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

Barton had previously admitted the charge of violent conduct and was given his punishment at a Football Association hearing in London.

In July, Barton received a four-month suspended prison sentence for the assault, which occurred in May 2007, when he and Dabo were at Manchester City.

Since the attack on Dabo, who now plays for Serie A side Lazio, Barton has been jailed for a drink-fuelled attack on a teenager in his native Liverpool.

He was released from prison in July after serving 74 days of his sentence for attacking the teenager.

Kevin Keegan, who resigned as Newcastle manager on Thursday, sent his support for the player to Friday's hearing by fax but did not appear in person.