Barton hit with 12 game ban

QPR midfielder Joey Barton has been banned for a total of 12 matches and fined £75,000 following his dismissal against Manchester City.The Football Association confirmed an independent regulatory commission found Barton guilty of two counts of violent conduct. The FA announced Barton received an automatic four-game suspension, with the additional eight matches a consequence of the manner of his dismissal.QPR had previously announced their intention to carry out their own investigation once Barton's case had been dealt with by the FA. Barton was shown a red card at the Etihad Stadium for elbowing Carlos Tevez, and he then kicked Sergio Aguero before attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany.
He denied the charge of violent conduct against Kompany but the FA said the case against Barton was found to be proved.
An FA statement said: "An independent regulatory commission has today dealt with two charges of violent conduct against Joey Barton, arising from the game against Manchester City, resulting in an eight-match suspension and £75,000 fine for the Queens Park Rangers midfielder. This eight-match suspension is to run consecutively to the four-game suspension Barton was already given for his dismissal in the fixture, making a total of 12 matches."
Barton's acts were condemned by the chairman of the regulatory commission, who stated: "There are rules of conduct that should be adhered to, and such behaviour tarnishes the image of football in this country, particularly as this match was the pinnacle of the domestic season and watched by millions around the globe."