Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton pleaded guilty today (Monday 30 June 2008) to assaulting Ousmane Dabo (31) during a training ground incident at Manchester City.
The 25-year-old is accused of an unprovoked attack on Frenchman Dabo, (who now plays for Italian side Lazio) back in May 2007.
Barton, whose victim was in court to hear him plead guilty, will be sentenced on Tuesday.
Former England captain Stuart Pearce, the then manager of the City, was expected to give evidence, along with Blues favourites Paul Dickov, Joe Hart and Sylvan Distin.
Twelve months ago Barton was sold to Newcastle in a £5.8m deal.
The maximum sentence for causing actual bodily harm is five years imprisonment!
