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Barton branded a 'coward' by DaboBy Alex Hayes Last Updated: 3:02am BST 23/05/2007
Ousmane Dabo is threatening legal action against Joey Barton following what he claims was a "savage, unprovoked and, worst of all, cowardly assault" by his Manchester City team-mate.
"It is Barton's cowardice that upsets me most," Dabo, 31, said from his Manchester home. "The fact that I look like the Elephant Man and will not be able to play again this season is bad enough, but what I find most shocking is that he [Barton] struck me first from behind and then repeatedly when I was down on the ground. He is a coward and his actions are despicable. This is why I'm in serious discussions with my lawyers to see what actions I can take. This should not be allowed to happen." The incident, which took place at the club's Carrington training ground on Tuesday, was so serious that Dabo had to be taken to hospital for treatment. The midfielder, who joined City last summer from Lazio, had several cuts and bruises as well as a suspected detached retina. At one stage doctors were said to have feared for his left eye though he should now make a full recovery. "I have a severe scratch on my eye. Apparently I'm very lucky not to have lost my sight," explained the seriously-shaken Frenchman Some reports suggested that Dabo had been the original aggressor and that Barton acted in self-defence. "Nonsense," Dabo interrupted. "We were having a really good physical training session where everyone was pumped up because this week we are preparing for the Manchester derby on Saturday. Tackles were flying in but Barton decided to go that little bit further than everyone else. I think he was annoyed that Dunney [Richard Dunne, the club captain] had won the supporters' player of the season award the night before. "Anyway, at one stage he tackled me from behind, which I didn't take kindly to, so I then tackled him back, which got him very angry. We then had a bit of a push and a shove, as you see at training grounds almost every day, and I thought that was the end of that. "But then, as I was turning away to rejoin the training game, Barton thumped me from behind on the right temple. That knocked me down and, while I was falling, he hit me again several times in the face. Some tough guy he is if he has to attack people when they're not facing him." When Dabo regained consciousness he had to be restrained by several team-mates as he was keen to "go find" Barton, who had by then been banished to the dressing room. "I was quite literally spitting blood," Dabo recalled. "I wanted to have an explanation from him, but face-to-face this time." The meeting, sensibly, did not take place and it now seems as though the two men will not cross paths again, as Barton has been suspended until the end of the season and will almost certainly be sold during the summer. Another person with whom Dabo wants nothing more to do is Willy McKay, who yesterday claimed to be both Dabo and Barton's agent and who sided with the England international, explaining that he had acted in self-defence. "Firstly, let's get one thing clear," Dabo said. "McKay has never been my agent. He only assisted my real agent with my transfer last summer. Secondly, he should have checked his facts before saying that I was the aggressor. He has actually called me since to apologise for getting the story wrong, but it's too late because in the eyes of many I'm seen as the one who started the fight. But that's absolutely not true and that is why I'm so keen to get my side of the story across." Pierre Frelot, Dabo's official agent, said: "Ousmane's lawyers and the police should decide whether Barton has a case to answer. But in the meantime I would expect both the Premier League and the Football Association to look further into this incident and dish out the appropriate punishment. And by appropriate I mean a very long ban from all forms of the game." Barton, meanwhile, will be offered help by the Professional Footballers' Association after being suspended. Mick McGuire, the PFA's deputy chief executive, said his organisation had no immediate complaints over the club's move to ban Barton until the summer break. "We will offer Joey help and if there is a requirement for mediation, we will be there," McGuire said. "We have spoken to the club and are in the process of speaking to Joey as well to get the full facts."
Comments
This is only a speculation and possibly a controversial theory but here goes; The reason Joey Barton's agent was to give such a statement is that Barton looks sure as to leaving and the agent does not want him to go out looking like a lunatic. This would severely decrease his transfer fee and potentially his wages in his next club.
I am sick to death of City being dragged through the mud...again. If it was up to me i'd get shut of everyone from the top down and start a fresh with new investors. Keep the good kids as we have an excellent youth system, and keep dunny. I once liked you Joey but you've gone too far this time. MCFC CTID. South stand! If Barton was half the player he thinks he is, he'd be twice the player he actually is! We should have got rid a long time ago. As for the PFA, if their help was worth anything he would have sorted his head out years ago. Clear off and don’t come back. He’s vastly over paid for a player who cannot take corners or free kick without hitting the first man. They guy typifies all that’s wrong with player power and why people like me are giving up season tickets. City please do one think right this sorry season and just show him the door (you may have to open it for him as it may be to taxing for his brain). middlesbore .... coming from a city fan uefa cup finalists carling cup winners city no recent trophies no real plan no money no hope Sir,
Get Barton out, he's a disgrace. Yes, players need to fight for the badge, but not literally, and not with eachother. All people make mistakes, but this is the fourth or fifth time Barton's overstepped the mark and he needs to be made an example of. We'll most probably be goosed without him next season, as he's a very good footballer, but both Dabo and the club should be pressing charges, and if our financial situation wasn't so bad we should be sacking him immediately. Here's hoping he gets his dream move to Middlesbore, Villa or some other no-hopers. He's not fit to wear the badge of our great club. Post a comment
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