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Manchester City have suspended Joey Barton until the end of the season after the England midfielder was involved in a fight with team-mate Ousmane Dabo during a training game.
It is another incident in a long list of misdemeanours that have plagued the career of Barton. Only last week he criticised manager Stuart Pearce and questioned the quality of some of his team-mates - a move that was applauded in some quarters for its honesty, but one that is unlikely to improve his standing with the club's hierarchy or playing staff.
The history of football is littered with punch-ups between players. Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer exchanged blows playing for Newcastle United, John Hartson booted Eyal Berkovic in the head during a West Ham training session and Queens Park Rangers brawled with the China Under-21 side.
So, can this latest incident be overlooked as just one of those things or has Barton sinned too often? Is it the end of his City career or would the club be mad to lose their star player? Send in your comments below.
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First of all Joey Barton is an ex England midfielder, seeing that he was left out of the last matches already due to his temper. I would sack him, sue him for damages to the club. After that, he might just get a lob as a bin man.
Marco Marboni, Milton Keynes,
Time to say bye bye Joey.
Rob, Nottingham,
Paolo, its doesn't have an apostrophe in that context.
You go back to school.
chris, Brighton, East Sussex
Sell him.
RH, Co. Down,
This was self defence, Dabo was the one who swung the first blow. Barton is integral to Manchester City and Dabo is woeful. Suspend Dabo for the remainder of his contract please as soon as possible i think he has two years left....We love you Joey.
Bradley Cohen, London, Uk
If this means he has passion for the game then he should stay.
I agree with everything he said apart from some of the old school players like Dunne, Distin, Richards and Barton, these are the players we should be building a team around keep him.
Look at Roy Kean he was a outspoken player and what a player.
Don't let him go because he has heart.
From a mad Man City fan and season ticket holder.
Peter Conaghan, ashton under lyne, uk
I think whoever wrote this piece should go back to school and learn when "its" takes an apostrophe.
Paolo, Essex,