What Next For Barton?

Last updated : 01 July 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Barton yesterday admitted assaulting former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo following a training ground argument last May, a decision which could lead to the termination of his contract at St James's Park on the basis of gross misconduct.

The midfielder had initially intended to deny the charge and claimed he was acting in self-defence, but changed his plea just before the trial was due to begin at Manchester Minshull Crown Court yesterday after Judge Mushtaq Khokhar indicated he would impose a suspended sentence if he did so.

The 25-year-old, who was due to be released from jail on an electronic tag on Sunday, despite serving only six weeks of a six-month sentence for assault and affray following an attack on two people in a drunken rage in Liverpool last December, will be sentenced this morning.

Although Barton's decision to acknowledge his guilt will mean he receives considerably less than the maximum five-year sentence available to Judge Khokhar, his crime - described as an "explosive combination of football and violence" by prosecutor Richard Vardon yesterday - remains a serious one.

Owner Mike Ashley is determined to punish the player for his actions, although Barton and his agent Willie McKay have already turned down an offer which would have cut his weekly wage of £60,000 by 50%.

Will Ashley write off £5.8m worth of investment by terminating his contract, which still has four years left to run?

Dabo, 30, was said to have felt intimidated by Barton as he shouted and swore at him.

Greater Manchester Police said: "The victim walked away, but Barton ran to him and punched him on the side of the head.

"The victim was instantly made unconscious but Barton continued to punch him as he was collapsing to the floor."