Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been handed a six-match ban - with another six suspended - for assaulting Ousmane Dabo.

Barton, 26, had previously admitted the charge of violent conduct and was fined £25,000 at the personal hearing.

He will be banned for another six games if he is found guilty in the future.

In July Barton received a four-month suspended prison sentence for the assault in May 2007, when the pair were team-mates at Manchester City.

The disciplinary panel revealed its findings at a the three-hour hearing at the Football Association's headquarters in Soho Square, London.

Former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan, who quit on Thursday, faxed his support but did not appear in person as a character witness for Barton.