Barton faces player attack charge

Barton was arrested while at Manchester City

Footballer Joey Barton has vowed to clear his name after being charged with the assault of a former team-mate.

The Newcastle United midfielder is accused of attacking fellow player Ousmane Dabo at Manchester City's training ground complex on 1 May.

Mr Barton, 24, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Thursday and will appear at Trafford Magistrates' Court on 9 August.

In a short statement he said he "strenuously denied" the charge.

The alleged assault happened at the club's training complex in Carrington, south Manchester.

Mr Dabo, 30, was treated in hospital for injuries to his eye, nose and lip.

Joey strenuously denies the charge and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name in the public forum Joey Barton's spokeswoman

Mr Barton was bailed by police until Thursday while officers made further inquiries and took statements from other players.

When he attended a police station in Trafford on Thursday he was re-arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm under section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in jail if found guilty.

In a short statement, a spokeswoman for the player said: "Our client, Joey Barton, was today charged...in relation to a training ground incident which occurred on 1 May this year.

"Joey strenuously denies the charge and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name in the public forum."

The midfielder was sold by Manchester City to Newcastle United in June in a £5.8m deal.