Joey ban suspended until 2010

Joey Barton has been handed a 12-match ban and a £25,000 fine for a training ground assault while at Man City.

The Magpies midfielder will serve a minimum six-match ban as the other six games are suspended until the end of the 2009-2010 season - but it will be a blow to the player who recently returned to first-team action.

The Football Association's independent disciplinary commission meted out the punishment for Barton's attack on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo last May.