Troubled midfielder Joey Barton faces more time of the sidelines after the Football Association handed the Newcastle player a minimum six-match ban for his attack on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

The incident, which occurred last May, while both players were still at Manchester City, left the Frenchmen with several cuts and bruises and with what was believed to be a detached retina as well.

The entire punishment also includes a fine of GBP25,000 and is actually for 12 matches but half of those have been suspended until the end of the 2009-2010 season.

Barton has only recently returned to training after serving his time in prison for other clashes but will now be out of first action until October 25th at the earliest.

The final punishment was considered by a four-man panel which had included former England manager Graham Taylor.

After two hours of deliberation the FA announced its decision.

In a statement on their website the FA explained: "Much has been written about Mr Barton over recent months. The Regulatory Commission had the benefit of taking all appropriate information into consideration. The Commission members considered principally the serious attack by Mr Barton that clearly cannot be accepted.

"The members also had to take into consideration the sanctions imposed by the courts and the pro-active support Mr Barton has received from Newcastle United FC and other professional bodies.

"The Commission members wanted to punish the offence appropriately but give Mr Barton an opportunity to ensure his professional conduct does not falter again and ensure he is fully aware of the consequences should he make another serious error of judgement."

Both players involved in the incident have subsequently left Eastlands, Barton moving to Newcastle while Dabo returned to Italy with Lazio, but the saga has always been close to the headlines.

The pictures of the beating have been regularly featured in newspapers and the damage described as leaving the victim "looking like the elephant man".

Barton also received a four-month suspended prison sentence for the altercation.