Sack Joey Barton - Toon fans' verdict
NEWCASTLE United fans have called for Joey Barton to be sacked after he admitted assaulting a former team-mate.
Barton who is already serving six months in jail for affray and assault, yesterday confessed to attacking Ousmane Dabo, punching him to the ground during training then continuing his onslaught in an "explosive combination of football and violence," a court heard.
The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.
But for some Toon Army fans, this was the last straw.
Season ticket holder Jack Harrison, 29, from Hebburn, said:
"I'm sick and tired of reading about him being in trouble.
The fans have had enough, we should sack him now, he's had plenty of chances.
"If we keep him, he'll just carry on getting in trouble.
I think it's shocking how he's still being paid huge wages while he's behind bars."
Tony Hannon, 30, from South Shields, said:
"Enough is enough, how far can you let someone behave like this, it's ridiculous.
"He's making the club look stupid."
Barton was due to go on trial for assault after "strenuously denying" the allegation for more than 12 months – before finally changing his plea just before the trial began.
Frenchman Dabo was knocked unconscious and "left looking like the Elephant Man" after the pair, both at the time playing for Manchester City, clashed at the club's Carrington training ground on May 1 last year.
Dabo was treated in hospital for head trauma, an inflamed eye and bruised eyelids. He also suffered from headaches for three weeks.
But Newcastle superfan Keith "Beefy" Roberts thinks Keegan should give Barton one last chance.
The 45-year-old, from Jarrow, said:
"Everyone makes mistakes, but he should be given another chance if he behaves well.
"I'd be happy for him to stay if his contract is changed and he repays some trust for once.
"He's a good player at the end of the day."
Barton pleaded guilty after Judge Mushtaq Khokhar indicated he would impose a suspended sentence for the assault. He will be sentenced later today.
Barton was suspended by City and sold to Newcastle for £5.8m last summer.
The lad has issues obviously.
Beefy Roberts that is.
NEWCASTLE United fans have called for Joey Barton to be sacked after he admitted assaulting a former team-mate.
Barton who is already serving six months in jail for affray and assault, yesterday confessed to attacking Ousmane Dabo, punching him to the ground during training then continuing his onslaught in an "explosive combination of football and violence," a court heard.
The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.
But for some Toon Army fans, this was the last straw.
Season ticket holder Jack Harrison, 29, from Hebburn, said:
"I'm sick and tired of reading about him being in trouble.
The fans have had enough, we should sack him now, he's had plenty of chances.
"If we keep him, he'll just carry on getting in trouble.
I think it's shocking how he's still being paid huge wages while he's behind bars."
Tony Hannon, 30, from South Shields, said:
"Enough is enough, how far can you let someone behave like this, it's ridiculous.
"He's making the club look stupid."
Barton was due to go on trial for assault after "strenuously denying" the allegation for more than 12 months – before finally changing his plea just before the trial began.
Frenchman Dabo was knocked unconscious and "left looking like the Elephant Man" after the pair, both at the time playing for Manchester City, clashed at the club's Carrington training ground on May 1 last year.
Dabo was treated in hospital for head trauma, an inflamed eye and bruised eyelids. He also suffered from headaches for three weeks.
But Newcastle superfan Keith "Beefy" Roberts thinks Keegan should give Barton one last chance.
The 45-year-old, from Jarrow, said:
"Everyone makes mistakes, but he should be given another chance if he behaves well.
"I'd be happy for him to stay if his contract is changed and he repays some trust for once.
"He's a good player at the end of the day."
Barton pleaded guilty after Judge Mushtaq Khokhar indicated he would impose a suspended sentence for the assault. He will be sentenced later today.
Barton was suspended by City and sold to Newcastle for £5.8m last summer.
The lad has issues obviously.
Beefy Roberts that is.
Comment