Barton's Day At The 'Cop Shop'

Last updated : 11 July 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Newcastle's new signing was arrested by Greater Manchester Police two months ago and questioned by detectives on suspicion of assault. Today he will answer bail when he is expected to discover his fate after reporting to a local police station.


Dabo, 30, was treated in hospital for injuries to his eye, nose and lip following the alleged incident in which he claimed he was attacked during a training session at City's Carrington training ground on May 1.

The Frenchman claims to have been punched by his former colleague in an incident which he says left him "looking like the Elephant Man" and suffering a suspected detached retina.

Dabo asked police to press charges.

The police could charge him with assault, release the player without charge or opt re-bail him to a future date pending further investigations.

Barton list of incidents ...

In December 2004, the club toyed with the idea of sacking the midfielder but decided to fine him six weeks' wages after Barton stubbed a cigar into the eye of a younger team-mate, Jamie Tandy, at the club's Christmas party.

Then, at a tournament in Bangkok in July 2005, Barton was involved in an altercation with his team-mate Richard Dunne and a 15-year-old Everton fan and was later fined £120,000 - eight weeks' wages. He was sent home in disgrace and later underwent anger management therapy.

Last September, he was captured by television cameras exposing his rear end to Everton supporters following City's injury-time equaliser at Goodison Park. He was fined £2,000.

In March 2007, just a month after making his England debut as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat by Spain at Old Trafford, Barton was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage in an incident involving a taxi driver in Liverpool.