From the ArcaMax Publishing, Sports Update Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/sports/s-371682-376229
MANCHESTER, England (UPI) -- English soccer player Joey Barton was
given a four-month suspended sentence for attacking Ousmane Dabo when
both were playing for Manchester City.
Newcastle United, Barton's current team, said in a statement on its
Web site that executives will discuss the player's future with him.
On Monday, Barton, who is close to finishing a six-month term for
another assault, pleaded guilty to an attack with actual bodily harm,
the BBC reported. Judge Mushtaq Khokhar also ordered Barton to
perform 200 hours of community service and to pay Dabo 3,000 pounds
($6,000) compensation.
"As a professional footballer you are someone who is talented and
greatly idolized by young and old alike whether you are playing at
Manchester City and now at Newcastle United," Khokhar said. "You are
constantly in the public eye. You have a high profile, there would be
instances of provocations ... being an idol brings with it
responsibilities which you have to carry with you all the time."