Barton reopens Dabo feud

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_6858440,00.html


Joey Barton has reopened his feud with former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

Newcastle midfielder Barton was involved in an infamous training ground bust-up with Dabo four years ago while at City, which resulted in the Frenchman ending up in hospital

Barton received a four-month suspended prison sentence for assault along with 200 hours community service as well as a six-game ban from the Football Association.

The 28-year-old remains bitter about Dabo's decision to press charges following the incident and he has now given his version of events for the first time.

"I have never given my side of the story, but the truth is that he started the fight and I finished it," Barton told French Magazine So Foot.

"Frankly, Ousmane is a little pussy. It's him who hit me from behind with his hand.

"When he did that, I hit him back. It happened just like that, bang, bang bang and it was over. But I am no monster. I don't like fighting, but it's human to defend yourself.

"The problem was I hit him three times. Of course, it was not the best response, but I grew up in the street and when I am attacked, I defend myself and when you fight, there are no rules."
Lies

Barton insists Dabo should not have reported him to police and should have tried to sort the problem among themselves.

"Frankly, Ousmane is a little pussy. It's him who hit me from behind with his hand."
Joey Barton on his fight with Ousman Dabo

"I wanted to discuss it like men, but he never came to see me and that makes me angry because he told lies in the papers and I was not able to respond.

"There was a late tackle in training and we exchanged a few words. I have an aggressive style and he wasn't happy.

"I told him, 'You are a piece of s**t, don't come looking for me'. He said, 'You are arrogant, you think you're something special'.

"We kept talking and I said, 'Yeah, you're great', but it was sarcastic because he was not playing well, so he slapped me from behind. He tried to be the bad boy, but it was him who ended up on the floor."

Barton admits he is not proud of the fight, but he claims he had no choice but to defend himself once Dabo raised his hand to him.

"You know, I am not proud of that. It's never good to fight a team-mate, but from the moment he raised his hand to me ... it's hard to explain," continued Barton.

"If we saw each other tomorrow, we might say, 'What we did was stupid, I am sorry and we should never have fought'.

"I've seen team-mates fighting at least 15 times but City said I had hit him too many times."
Denial

Dabo totally denies Barton's version of events saying it was the Scouser who attacked him from behind.

"I had my back turned when he charged at me and thre a right into my temple, like a coward.

"In a man's fight it's impossible that this guy - who is half my size - sparks me out with one punch. "

"I was knocked out but, while I was out of it, he grabbed my head and struck me with 10 right-handers from close range.
"It was anything but fair."

 

I want to let the whole episode die out

 

Trouble is, you just don't know who to believe. I've no doubt Dabo was in some part guilty for the provocation but Barton is the kind of bloke who would just snap and see the red mist. I reckon Barton's went well over the top in a fit of rage, no excuses really. If someone hits you, hit them back but don't knock them down and keep pounding them. To do that shows the mentality of a violent nutter!

 

Sorry dabo but 10 right handers frim close range? dont be silly. Your face would have been a mess, a slight cut under the eye would not have been the result.

Frankly though, its silly going back to that. It was a fued that really didnt need to be reopened. I realise he wanted to give his version but i really dont know what Barton thought he could achieve. Just leave it be and forget about it.

 

Dabo was probably just being a typical cheeky French get and Barton has over-reacted imo.

 

I like the fact that Barton tells it how it is, but howay lad, reign it in a bit - I'm sure sometimes he's just controversial for the sake of it (or maybe in the same way Ferguson is - to rile the opposition?)

 

This.

Gaining **** all from bringing it up again.

 

Saw this the other day, dont know why he said it, was probably asked about Dabo by the french magazine, and rather than just decline to comment he's tried to justify himself.

The only reason I can think of is that maybe he thought people might understand and that would be one less reason to hate him. He cant change the past, no matter how good he is now, so by trying to justify this episode, he is trying to get rid of some of the ammunition used against him.

Pardew did say today in the paper that Barton was "disappointed" with how his recent comments were portrayed though.

 

He probably thought it was a chance for him to finally give his view, but the magazine he gave the interview to is one known to take things out of context, not a good move really.