FFS, where are all the people from this board who disagreed when those like me said this guy would be more trouble than he's worth?

TOLD YOU SO!

LOL - I can see both sides of this particular arguement.

1: The FA cannot be seen to be doing nothing in such a disgraceful situation - which has been through criminal proceedings as well as so much media attention. If they didnt they would have been setting a precident for all other play who may conduct themselves in such a manner.

2: Newcastle United are right to argue that the punishment takes place now BUT they signed him knowing that proceedings would be taking place and realisitically they cannot have been blind to the fact that criminal matters would have to come first before the FA completed their investigations and published the findings.

This is the exact same procedure which happens between criminal and civil courts - If the evidence is presented in civil when needed for a criminal case it can jeapodise the case.

See my comment in the other thread. The FA's case is pretty airtight. They'll say they're disciplining the player, and they are, and that the club is only affected incidentally-which is not their concern in this matter.

Tunyc

I dont really like Barton but this smacks of FA double standards, Dabo never missed a game for Man City and it took how long for the FA to bring charges. Every photo of Dabo he looks like he is making a meal of it.

FRom the Guardian

Compare this to Ray Keane tackle on Haaland, a Norwegian journeyman whose not particularly accomplished career in British football is now defined by two bruising encounters with Keane. The first took place in the autumn of 1997 when Haaland was playing for Leeds. In the book, Keane writes, 'He was winding me up from the beginning of the game... five minutes from time... I lunged forward at Haaland. I was trying to trip him rather than kick him. I knew it would probably mean a booking but, @#$%& it, he'd done my head in.'

As a result of that misguided lunge, the cruciate ligament in Keane's knee snapped. Keane was out for nearly a year, but what incensed him was Haaland's immediate reaction - he stood over Keane and accused him of faking injury.

Three and a half years later Keane had his revenge. Haaland was by now playing for Manchester City, and towards the end of a full-blooded game with United Keane launched a vicious, thigh-high assault that left Haaland writhing on the ground and Keane receiving another red card. Haaland has not started a game since, though it is by no means clear whether this is because of an injury caused by Keane.

What about Haaland, I ask.

'What about him?' he mutters.

In the book, Keane says: 'I'd waited long enough. I @#$%& hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you @#$%&. And don't ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries.'

You definitely went after him, I say. You were carrying that for a long time...

He nods. 'Maybe so. Maybe so.'

Were you annoyed at yourself for being sent off again? There is maybe a three-second pause.

'Nah.'

Was it worth it, then?

'Not for two weeks' wages, no,' he laughs. Then, in a flash, he is suddenly serious. 'I was just saying to one of the younger players, Michael Stewart it was, that I never went after a player to injure him in my life. Even Haaland.'

I think back to the oft-repeated footage of that truly shocking moment. What exactly were you intending to do, then?

'Let him know that I remembered.'

So, you don't regret it?

'No. Even in the dressing room afterwards, I had no remorse. My attitude was, @#$%& him. What goes around comes around. He got his just rewards. He @#$%& me over and my attitude is an eye for an eye.'

Keanes punishment a two week fine from his club for finishing someones career in a planned three year revenge attack, The FA did @#$%& all, but if he had been a Newcastle player............................. end it yourself

This whole thing is bollocks, fights happen in training all the time and the FA do not get involved so why now? I dont like Barton for what he is done but he was tried and dealt with in the courts it cannot be twice surely?

Course it can

Its just like if you went and beat someone up in the office and were convicted.

Your work place could still sack you or fine you for misconduct in the workplace.

There is no difference

Keane wasn't handled properly, I agree. You want to see a continuation of that culture?

Plus Barton's attack was clearly an assault-no one could perceive it as horribly mistimed tackle from a player who goes in for a lot of physical play (that's the benefit of the doubt that Barton got when he stomped Mendes' heel), which is how it went down with Keane. According to numerous eyewitnesses Barton repeatedly punched Dabo after he was out cold, lying on the deck.

The FA has to take action, and their explanation of the timing (that they were told to back off by the police so that they could conduct their investigation) makes sense. I repeat: would it be any more fair to have City punished for their player acting like an idiot? The FA will discipline the player, any effect on the club is incidental. And if I knew what we were getting into signing this knucklehead I'm sure the board did...

the most prescient point in all of this remains - how much did nufc know of the facts relating to the dabo incident before they signed him?

he PLEADED GUILTY in court, did he or did his agent suggest that this would be the case when we signed him? was this eventuality discussed during transfer negotiations?

if so, hard as it is to take, caveat emptor reigns. it is the fault of whoever agreed a contract to employ him at that time, if we are to lose a player to a ban for something that happened before the transfer

Translation: it was an obviously bad idea to sign him at the time we did.

As several on this board, for example, realized at the time.

Joey is unfortunatly in a lot of personal trouble and to be honest i feel sorry for the guy. He needs to get help and apparently he has. I would agrue that he deserves a chance to act the way he needs to.

However on the other hand. he has been put in a privilaged position through his talents and has to act accordingly which he hasn't on several occasions.

don't be suprised if he never plays football again. Then again don't be suprised if he plays against Man Utd in a couple of weeks, hahahahahahaha!

General rule for employers: don't hire recidivist violent criminals, no matter how talented.

Keegan should go ahead and declare Barton fit from the first game on and have him admit to the FA's charges right away. This will surely force the FA to impose a ban, that way he wont miss that many games when the ban immdediately comes down, becasue clearly he lacks match fitness anyway...in other words he can start serving the ban while he gets match fit.