The Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been banned for three English Premier League football matches after accepting a charge of violent conduct following an incident during their 2-1 home loss to Blackburn Rovers.
The 28-year-old was charged by the Football Association for punching Rovers' Norway midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen in the chest, which was not seen by the referee.
Barton was given until tonight to reply to the charge and under the FA's fast-track regulations his admission means he will now be handed a standard three-match ban.
The incident is the latest in a long list of disciplinary problems faced by the former Manchester City player, who joined Newcastle in June 2007. He was jailed in 2008 for assault.
He will now miss the Premier league matches against Fulham, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea.
