Newcastle Midfielder Joey Barton will be on the sidelines for up to 8 weeks after doctors confirmed a slight tear in his right knee after a 50 - 50 challenge with Wigan’s Lee Cattermole at the weekend.

With fiery midfielder limping off in the 17th minute of the 2 - 2 draw, Barton said after the match “I am not blaming Lee Cattermole in any way for this injury. It was a 50-50 ball and we both went for it, and these things happen.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing and frustrating, and my sole intention is to knuckle down and bounce back and get fit again to help the Newcastle United cause.”

image via DailyMail

UPDATE - Looks like the FA had decided that Barton will face no action following the incident with Agbonlahor.

He’s been warned that if he receives another “Violent Conduct” Red Card following his admission of guilt in the Olivier Dabo assault case in which he was ordered to pay a 25 Thousand Pound fine and handed a 6 match suspension, Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton’s other suspended 6 match ban from the case could be invoked by the English Football Association.

After getting their second home win in as many weeks against Aston Villa through Obafemi Martins’ 2 goals, television and print media had a field day with the picture above.

And it can never be good when former Premier League referee Graham Poll throws his hat into the situation saying, “If Steve Bennett had seen the situation you can’t deny he would have sent him off. He actually does strike the opponent.”

Via the DailyMail

Barton said, “Nothing has gone on, people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. With the referee, linesmen, the fourth official and all the television cameras, you know you cannot raise your hands these days – and at no stage have I done that.”

image via DailyMail

UPDATE -  Oh, it’s just got a whole lot worse for Joey Barton after the FA’s (Football Associations) Independent disciplinary commission handed down a 12 game ban (6 of which are suspended) and ordered a 25,000 Pound fine for admitting to a charge of Violent Conduct for Barton’s assault on then teammate Olivier Dabo at Manchester City.

The 6 game suspended ban will be invoked IF Barton is found guilty of any charge relating to violence or being dismissed from a game due to violent conduct, but not serious foul play.

Commission chairman Maurice Armstrong on the FA’s official website 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 offence 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.”

First it was the Dabo attack, then the fist fight in downtown Liverpool, then a prison term behind bars, then dropped by Nike and now Barton gets to re-live the incident that saw him put out a cigar using his teammates eye three years ago.

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Although Newcastle have welcomed Joey “Bare Knuckles” Barton back with open arms, Nike has pulled the plug on their £40,000 a year deal with the lunatic. I gotta back the boys from Beaverton on their decision with this one. Beating up teammates and random teenagers is not the best look for the sporting giant.

Joey “Bare Knuckles” Barton was released from prison after spending 74 days of a six month prison sentence.  After having an appeal for early release turned down earlier this month, apparently officials felt that now is a good time to let out Joey barton. Clearly this cat has some issues that need to be sorted out. You just can’t go around putting your cigar out in people’s eyes and beating up teenagers late at night.  Think he’s gonna be reformed or will we be seeing more of the same from Joey?

[Pic Dave Thompson]

DOUBLE UPDATE - Because he pleaded guilty yesterday, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar handed Barton a four month SUSPENDED sentence and ordered the as-of-now Newcastle midfielder to carry out an unspecified amount of community service.

Wonder if Dabo is going to go after Barton’s wallet just a bit more considering the injustice he’s probably feeling today?

UPDATE - Joey Barton has pleaded GUILTY to one count of causing bodily harm in the May 2007 incident and will be formally charged Tuesday morning after placing the plea just before the trial started.

Barton is already serving a six month sentence (which started in May 0f 2008) after pleading guilty to charges of assault and affray over an incident in McDonald’s in Liverpool back in December of 2007.

With the guilty plea placed you know Dabo will go after punitive damages, which he fully deserves.

I’ve seen plenty of fights during practice, some of which spill over into everyday life but for this to hit the courtroom is a bit surprising. It’s good to see that they’re are consequences for players and their actions.

Game time on Monday as Joey Barton is heading to court over last year’s assault of former Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo.

Former Man City coach Stuart Pearce and former defender Sylvain Distin are also expected to testify at the Manchester Crown Court over the training field incident that took place just over 13 months ago.

Will Barton be able to stay out of trouble this year after a so-so Newcastle campaign that already saw the northeast club threaten his wages?

Newcastle’s fiery midfielder Joey Barton has reportedly been told to take half his wages or face the sack, according to ESPN.

Barton is already serving a 6 months after pleading guilty to assault and affray after his 5.8 Million Pound switch from Manchester City to Newcastle, but has supposedly been told that he’ll have to take ONLY 30 K a week to continue with Fog on the Tynes.

Does anyone else think Barton might be the latest, much smaller version of Gazza?

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton might want to keep those up after being sentenced to a 6 month jail term after admitting guilt of Affray and Assault causing Bodily Harm.

Newcastle has issued this statement on their website - ‘Newcastle United notes the sentence passed to Joey Barton at Liverpool Crown Court today,’ the statement said.

‘The club is considering the verdict and will make no further comment at this stage.’

image via OhLaLa

image via Allposters

Norwegian John Carew placed himself in the hat trick column as Aston Villa thumped Newcastle 4-1 at Villa Park this afternoon. Even the inclusion of Joey Barton back in the midfield couldn’t save Kevin Keegan’s men as they continue their horrible form.

image via Wikimedia

Even if he’s traveling by charter plane everyday to train with the squad up at Newcastle before having to return to his safe house, Kevin Keegan has told Joey Barton he must wait.  On trial for assault in Liverpool, Barton was released on bail but faces trial at the end of March.  Keegan has put his faith in Barton publicly, hoping for a positive outcome to the situation.