Dabo may sue Barton over
'attack'
Manchester City midfielder Ousmane Dabo is threatening
legal action against team-mate Joey Barton following their training
ground bust-up on Tuesday. Dabo, 31, was left unconscious and with
a bruised eye after Barton's attack. "I went to turn around, he hit
me and knocked me out. He is a despicable coward, it wasn't a fair
fight," Dabo told L'Equipe. "I am disfigured. "This is why I am in
serious talks with my lawyers to see what I can do. This should not
be allowed to happen."
Dabo also accused the Professional Footballers' Association of
trying to help Barton but not getting in touch with him, a claim
chief executive Gordon Taylor denies. "We've been in touch with
Manchester City and have been trying to make contact with both
players," said Taylor. "As regards Dabo, [PFA executive] Richard
Jobson is looking to make contact with him because he deals with
his brother Moussa at Oldham on a regular basis."
Dabo had to be taken to hospital after Tuesday's incident, which
has led to City banning Barton until the end of the season. But
boss Stuart Pearce says the matter will not affect the club ahead
of the Manchester derby against United on Saturday. "There will be
no negative response," said Pearce. "The way the squad have handled
everything has been a credit to themselves. I am sure they are
galvanised by it.
"The matter is now the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing.
"The board will be involved, as will myself, and we will deal with
it after the season ends." Barton's agent Willie McKay said on
Wednesday that he had been banned by City because he was "an easy
target" and that he was acting "in self-defence". McKay also
suggested he was Dabo's agent, a claim the Frenchman was quick to
deny.
"Let's get one thing clear," added Dabo in the Daily Telegraph.
"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 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."
