Barton charged by FA over City clash

Controversial footballer Joey Barton,seen here in March 2008, was charged by the Football Association (FA) with violent conduct.

Controversial footballer Joey Barton was charged Thursday by the Football Association (FA) with violent conduct.

The charge relates to an assault by the Newcastle United midfielder on his then Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo at City's Carrington training ground on May 1, 2007.

Barton, 25, was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, on July 1 after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Dabo.

This FA charge arises from the hearing at Manchester Crown Court, with the governing body now having received the documentation it wanted from that case.

Barton has until August 13 to respond to the charge.

He was released from prison Monday after serving 74 days of a six-month sentence for assault following an incident in his native Liverpool last year.

However, Newcastle and especially manager Kevin Keegan, have said they intend to keep the player at the club and help him rebuild his career.