Bad Boy Barton back to his old tricks

(12-11-2010) Joey Barton is back in the news for the wrong reasons. On Thursday the Newcastle midfielder was charged with violent conduct by the FA for punching Morten Gamst Pedersen in the ribs during his side's 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn on Wednesday. The incident occurred after Pedersen innocuously brushed past Barton in the penalty area. The 28-year-old now faces a three match ban. "Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with violent conduct by the FA following an incident in his side's fixture with Blackburn on Wednesday,” said the FA in a statement. "Barton has until 6pm on Friday to reply to the charge and under the FA's fast-track regulations, may admit the charge and accept a standard three-match suspension." Barton has string of misdemeanours to his name and has spent time in prison for assaulting a teammate, On another occasion he stubbed a cigar in a teammates eye.