Newcastle midfielder
Joey Barton has
admitted a charge of violent conduct and apologised to
Morten Gamst Pedersen for the
punch that will earn him a three-match ban.
Barton had earlier been charged by the Football Association over
an incident during the 2-1 Premier League defeat by Blackburn.
Barton said: "I fully accept that I was in the wrong on this
occasion and accept the charge that the FA have brought against me.
I would like to apologise to Chris Hughton, my team-mates, our
supporters and of course to Morten Gamst Pedersen and Blackburn
Rovers.
"This season, I have really been enjoying my football and
although I have been on the receiving end of a few robust
challenges, I have, up until now, remained calm in the face of
provocation and just carried on with the game. But I hold my hands
up, I reacted badly to the situation on Wednesday night and I
deeply regret it.
"I have been working very hard to keep that side of my game
under control and I think it has showed in the way I have been able
to get on and enjoy my football this season.
"I look forward to trying to get back into the team once my
suspension is over and helping the club maintain its good start to
the season.''
Barton will miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham and
the following two games against Bolton and Chelsea.
That will come as a blow to Hughton, who has seen the former
Manchester City midfielder establish himself as a key member of the
side which currently sits in fifth place in the table despite the
Blackburn defeat.
Hughton said: "We accept the action taken by the FA, and it is
of course disappointing to lose Joey for three games. He has worked
so hard on his game this season, but he knows that he can't react
the way he did on Wednesday.''
from soccernet
