Joey Barton, the Newcastle United midfielder, appeared in court today accused of assaulting a former Manchester City team-mate in a training ground bust-up.
Barton, 25, appeared at Trafford Magistrates Court to face a charge of assault following the alleged attack on Ousmane Dabo earlier this year.
The England international has already indicated he will plead not guilty to the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in jail if he is convicted. The case is expected to go to trial later this year or early next year.
Barton spoke only to confirm his name and personal details during the five-minute committal hearing. The Liverpool-born player was arrested after the incident at Manchester City's training ground complex in Carrington, south Manchester on May 1.
The player was suspended by Manchester City after the alleged incident and sold by the club to Newcastle United in June in a £5.8 million deal.
But Barton has yet to play for his new club this season after suffering a fractured metatarsal in his left foot during a pre-season friendly.
Barton has said he "strenuously denies" the allegation. JPs committed his case to Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on November 22.
02 10 2007
Joey Barton and Ousmane Dabo will clash on the pitch on Tuesday night just weeks before they face each other in court.
Barton will return to action for the reserves against his former club Manchester City, who will field Frenchman Dabo.
The Newcastle man has been charged by police with assault after the two clashed on City's training ground, leaving Dabo "disfigured" and looking like "the Elephant Man".
The 25-year-old, who joined the Magpies in a £5.8million summer switch from City, will make his comeback from a fractured metatarsal at the Regional Athletics Arena close to the City of Manchester Stadium.
According to the Daily Mirror, 'It is unusual for such adversaries to meet in the run-up to a legal showdown and all eyes will be watching them on the field - but the pair are determined to play. Barton wants to be fit in a hurry while Dabo is keen to show he is ready for selection or, more likely, a sale in the next transfer window. He has his sights on quitting English football to join Fiorentina in Italy.'
