Villa to discuss Barton ´racism´ row with FA

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill said Wednesday the club would talk to football chiefs following allegations that Gabriel Agbonlahor was racially abused by Newcastle’s Joey Barton.

The Football Association confirmed on Tuesday that Barton would not be charged for apparently flicking his fingers into the face of Agbonlahor during Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Villa at St James’ Park on Monday which took the Magpies off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Reports in the British press have since suggested that Barton may have racially abused the striker.

O’Neill said his player did not wish to take the matter any further. However, he added the FA did wish to get a view from the club.

However, English football’s governing body does have the power to take action without having to wait for a formal complaint.

“Gaby doesn’t want to talk about it and he doesn’t want to press charges,” O’Neill said. “That’s what he said to me yesterday (Tuesday) and he reiterated that this morning.

“I’ve just heard, regardless of what Gaby does or doesn’t say, the FA would like to hear what sort of comments we have to make on an official basis.

“That’s fine, if we have a couple of days to have a look at things, then that’s exactly what we’ll do.

“I’ve just been told that we have a week to make some sort of decision about that and that’s fine. We’ll have a look at it and we’ll see.”

The former Manchester City midfielder’s career has been blighted by a series of controversial incidents and he is currently playing under the threat of a six-match suspended ban.

This follows his return to action three games ago after serving six games of a 12-game ban imposed after a training ground incident involving former City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

The remaining part of the ban will come into force should Barton be dismissed for an offence of violent conduct before the end of next season.

Barton recently served 74 days in prison for assaulting a 16-year-old boy.