At an independent Regulatory Commission hearing today in London, Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton was given a 12 match suspension, six matches of which are suspended until the end of the 2009/2010 season, and fined £25K.
Joey Barton – will serve only 6 match ban initially
Barton had already admitted a charge of violent conduct, relating to an assault on his then Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo at City’s Carrington training ground on 1st May 2007.
He is suspended for six matches with immediate effect, and the suspended sanction of six further matches will be automatically invoked in full should Barton be found guilty of any similar charge involving violence or be dismissed from the field of play for violent conduct (but not for serious foul play).
A statement from the independent Regulatory Commission Chairman Maurice Armstrong after the hearing said:
“Much has been written about Mr Barton over recent months. The Regulatory Commission had the benefit of taking all appropriate information into consideration. The Commission members considered principally the serious attack by Mr Barton that clearly cannot be accepted.”
“The members also had to take into consideration the sanctions imposed by the courts and the pro-active support Mr Barton has received from Newcastle United FC and other professional bodies.”
“The Commission members wanted to punish the offense appropriately but give Mr Barton an opportunity to ensure his professional conduct does not falter again and ensure he is fully aware of the consequences should he make another serious error of judgement.”
That in fact is not too bad a sentence for Barton, given the circumstances, and Barton would be available in a couple of months time to play for Newcastle.
It’s just a pity he will not be playing for Kevin Keegan, that’s all.
Comments welcome.
200 comments so far
51times
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Comment #41keegan was king – He was born south of Northumberland, so he could die in the ring for all I care.
ANON
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Comment #42Its good to keep Barton at the club, hopefully he goes off on one and kills Ashley!!!!
yes
JC
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Comment #43Wise Out…….ZICO in………Ashely stay…….Keegan Directer of football.
JC
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Comment #44keegan was king-YES overrated little p###k who has he fought?? No-bodies!!!
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Comment #45ehere all making choices on our next manager,but will ashley back him
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Comment #46where
Angryman the Angry Fan
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Comment #47Oh well.
Its over now, all we need now is a yes man as our next Manager who will say, yes MR CASHLEY is backing me to the hilt, he has made loadsa money available for team building, i just couldnt spend it, the qulaity wasnt there, I had to sell X,Y,Z they were all unsettled, offer too good to refuse!!
Then the Pro Cashley brigade will be out saying there you go Angry, he is backing the Manager, he has made cash available, SPYRO, Jonas, and many many more…….
BOLLOX to the lot of the Pro CASHLEY brigade, he has done sweet FA for this club but put it back a further 20 years!!
And as I have said to the Pro CASHLEY brigade before, he will not invest in the team, he is a profit driven man (Not a crime) but if I was him, I would start myself a farm and sell all different types of manure to other farms, gardiners etc etc. coz the amount of shit that bloke and his board spouts, he will make himself another billion!!
CASHLEY, LIAMBIAS, WISE, JIMENEZ OUT!!!!
PS A footnote about the new Manager options, Poyet, Zico, Deschamps, marcelino, even big Al (Bow) what the F*** have they done that KK hasnt??
None of em fit to manage my club!!
CASHLEY, LIAMBIAS, WISE, JIMENEZ OUT!!!!
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Comment #48stage a sit in and show ashley&co there not welcome
JC
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Comment #49Angryman the Angry Fan-£80m of is own money to pay off debts. The club months away from ‘folding like a pack of cards’. Don’t say Ashely hasn’t done anything for the club!!! Wise up!!! (not a pun).
valle
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Comment #50Nah… Im not a fan of Barton as a person and what he has done, but this is NOT fair… He was in the court for this offense, and it should be left at that. This stinks of a power trip of the football powers who wish to state an example and who wants in on the righteous crusade the media has blown up.
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Comment #51jc,did ashley not lend the club the money to pay off the debt,plus he will get it back when he sells up
Little John
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Comment #52An open plee to Anil Ambani:
Mr Ambani, if you were ever considering buying a football club, this would be the one for you.
If you were willing to invest 120m in team strengthening, though not necessary i hasten to add, you would become an instant legend at NUFC. I am sure that you would not be disappointed with what you would get for your money, the club is in the top ten clubs in the world with the supporters in the top 3.
The team isnt a bad team and you would do no wrong to appoint KK as your Manager, a man who truly has the interest of our beloved football club at heart, and I am 110% convinced he would not abuse your money. What he would buy would be quality and would make you a very proud man to be the owner of a great football team.
The current board of directors and owner, are the most incompetent owners of a football club in the world, and i am sure you and your team would make a better job….well it aint hard!!
So Mr Ambani, please make the fat man a good offer for his club, strike while the irons hot and lets get better managment of one of the best football clubs in the world, and have a man in charge who will back his manager 110%
Thanks
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Comment #53valle it seems a bit like over kill with barton.
JC
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Comment #54No he paid himself, and just right that he should get the money back when he sells up
dick
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Comment #55I know I will be shot down in flames but we could do a lot more than poyet, he knows the modern english game inside out, he will be able to work with with the current managment, and will be able to work within the set-up at club at the moment, cant think of any british manager who can do this. After all whats done is done we cant let the club be relagated, got to cut our loses
valle
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Comment #56JC… Wise up?… Well i would suggest you do so yourself… 80m of his own money?… And if MA had kept the debt as it was, what do you think would happen once he decides to sell on?… Yep those 80m would be chupped from his asking price. Those 80m was spent because he knows he will get every penny back once he decides to sell his “investment” and in the meantime, he dosnt have to pay the banks any interest’s on the loans
Gillmag
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Comment #57Guys no-one should be talking about the next manager.
If its not KK I dont care.
Boycott the games, the shops and keep pushing for Ashley to go and take Wise with him.
Still heartbroken
Gillmag
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Comment #58Just another thought.
If John Hall is still Life President, couldnt he intervene somehow??
Clutching at straws.
Anyway, I’m away to start building my Ark!
russw
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Comment #59Added this to an early post but wanted to express my thoughts again here since the boycott debate is so divided.
1. As much as we love Keegan it is not only about him it’s about us. Its about the total disregard Ashley has shown to the wishes of over 90% of NUFC’s fan base, the contempt and disrespect shown is akin to a 19th Century mine owner lording it over his powerless employees.
2. Ashley has obviously lied to us about his intentions and is playing us for fools believing no matter what we’ll turn up.
3. Ashley and his cronies have no conception as to the relationship we Geordies have to this club, we need an owner that understands this relationship and embraces it not pushes it away.
To change the situation strong measures are needed, half measures will not do. We need to boycott all home games in order to force him to sell, I believe it would have the following effects
1. A clear signal that a huge mistake was made and that we are not going to accept Ashley’s ownership.
2. The media would pounce on the empty stadium story and highlight Ashley’s ineptitude, this story would run as long as the stadium remained fan free. This painting of Ashley as an inept and foolish businessman would reverberate through to his core business damaging his reputation and profits.
3. TV would not show live games as it would be a non spectacle without the supporters. This again would hurt his pocket financially as NUFC’s TV income allocation would be severely reduced.
4. The value of the club which he surely has every intention of selling would be diminished, a club with no support is not worth much.
5. The corporate sponsors would want their money back. I don’t think Northern Rock would be happy being associated with the bad publicity, they’ve had enough. It would also be a good PR move on their part to demand compensation as they position themselves with the fans.
6. The players I believe will react and play in a positive way, they will know we are fighting for the clubs well being which they are a part of, this would also be a great story again highlighting Ashley’s foolishness.
7. If the team begins to skirt with relegation which it could whether we fill the stadium or not it will again slash the clubs value.
The effect of a total boycott would be devastating to Ashley. It might only take 2 games but it might take all season, either way the power is with us, he needs our money we do not need his.
I know some of you are arguing the point about season tickets being paid for and Ashley already reaping that financial reward but the negative consequences of a weekly empty stadium would hit hard.
We don’t need to accept the reality of NUFC as it is, let’s stand united and boycott this club. When it’s all over NUFC will be a better club, better managed and even more fervently supported.
Little John
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Comment #60JC
Totally agree, 80m of his own money to pay off the debt (Saved him interest payments), if you buy something you buy its debts, you decide what to do with those debts, he made the decision to pay them off. It saved him money!!
Folding like a pack of cards????
Prove it, I have seen the accounts, you can too, they were on Companies house, though not in a good financial position, folding like a pack of cards weeks away was nothing but utter business bollox, inevitable when a hostile takeover is complete, the new owner has to make himself look like a knight in shining armour, he did to those who havent a clue………can you think of anyone?
And tell me JC, what has he invested in the team….you know, that thing I buy….oh yes I do, I buy a season ticket to watch that team, I am buying my slice, as he told me that he will build a team to be proud of, so what has he invested?? Every other club has, have we??
No he has made 1.65m, from the team alone, and he would have made a further 12m if he had his own way, buy selling our biggest asset on transfer day!!
SO YES, in my Opinion he has done Sweet FA for my club!!!
I used to finishe my mail with a comment on him not spending any money on the team, CASHLEY PROVE ME WRONG!!!!
HE F***ING DIDNT!!
Gillmag
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Comment #61Russw – totally agree. No half measures.
Ashleyunderstandfs only one language and thats money talk.
No income form games means profitless business and he’ll go.
JC
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Comment #62valle- I don’t get your point? That’s what I said…….
beyethegreat
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Comment #63RUSSW I DIS AGRE WITH POINT 6 I THINK AN EMPTY STADIUM WOULLD SEND A MESSAGE TO THE PLAYERS THAT THE CLUB IS IN EVEN MORE TURMOIL THAN IT IS
dingo
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Comment #64********************************************
NEWS FLASH
********************************************
I HAVE TAKEN GARY AND COODJ’S IDEAS ABOUT WEARING ORANGE OR RED T-SHIRTS OVER THE BLACK N WHITE STRIPES FOR THE MATCH AGAINST HULL.
I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE CHRONICLE WHO WILL DO AN ARTICLE ON MONDAY ON THIS IDEA AND ASK FOR LOCAL SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS. ALSO CENTURY AND METRO RADIO ARE GOING TO INTERVIEW ME REGARDING THIS PLAN.
I NEED TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ALL THE OTHER NUFC FANSITES AS WELL AS NEED A TEAM OF 10 OR SO PEOPLE IN THE AREA WHO CAN HELP GET THINGS ORGANISED.
WE WILL ASK FOR A 1 POUND DONATION OUTSIDE THE GROUND FOR EACH SHIRT TO GIVE TO THE BOBBY ROBSON CHARITY. THIS IDEA IS REALLY GATHERING PACE AND SUPPORT FROM THE MEDIA… NOW I NEED YOU LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON.. WE/I NEED YOUR SUPPORT AS WELL AS THE PLAYERS.
CHEERS
geordiedingo@hotmail.com
********************************************
END OF NEWS FLASH
********************************************
Gillmag
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Comment #65beyethe great – surely we cant get any worse than we are now.
Lets get itover with now and then move on once Ashleys gone.
Continued press coverage of fans disgust will seriously affectAshley’s business.
If we keep going to the games…hes won and KK is lost forever!
Wondre if KK has enough dosh to buy the club himself….hmmm!!!
beyethegreat
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Comment #66WHY ORANGE OR RED T SHIRTS
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Comment #67dingo im in s/shields i could get in touch with the local rag
beyethegreat
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Comment #68GILLMAG WE CAN GET WORSE WE CAN GET RELEGATED WHICH IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW THE PLAYERS SUPPORT
valle
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Comment #69JC… As i read your comment, you supported MA for using money to buy us and clear the debts?… I on the other hand think its natural that you have to use money to get what you want.
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Comment #70lads do you think ashley will be at the next home game,will he fluck,we wont see this tossa for a long time.
valle
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Comment #71wtf… My comment isnt showing?
Gillmag
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Comment #72Beythegreat – sorry mate, much as I hate saying this…perhaps relegation is the only way out of this. I know I’m going toget shot down for that, but its how I feel today.
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Comment #73keep ya chin up gillmag,we will get ashley oot
JC
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Comment #74valle-Yes you do…..anyway does no-one think that Dennis Wise would be a good manager??? (Not that I do I’m just curious) Wise out!!!!!!
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Comment #75jc naughty
beyethegreat
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Comment #76GILMAG I CAN SEE WHAT YOU R SAYING BUT THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO DO THIS PERHAPS BY CHEERING THE TEAM WITH SONGS THAT SUPPORT THE PLAYERS AND GETS THE MESSAGE ACCROSS TO THE BOARD
Gillmag
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Comment #77It would be interesting for some of the media to keep an eye on Ashleys profits from now on in and report them.
I bet they take a sharp drop, especially round here.
We should list all of his interests on here to make sure our fans dont buy anything.
faustino
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Comment #78Erm…has anyone been watching the odds on KK as next manager. Either people are getting so sentimental that they will waste money…or something is going on.
JC
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Comment #79You know what would be a good protest…..silence…… fill the stadium and just stand in silence for the 90 mins??? Thoughts
hitman
Sep 5, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Comment #80faustino:keegan is being bet on the hope ashley sells and the new owners bring him back..