Former Manchester City midfielder Ousmane Dabo, who suffered horrific facial injuries from Barton's attack, has heavily criticised his former team-mate and current club.

This week Barton was handed a four-month suspended jail term after pleading guilty to the attack at Manchester Crown Court.

And speaking after the court case, Dabo, now playing in Italy with Lazio, said: "It was a terrible day but now I am happy with the outcome.

"Barton admits he attacked me, struck me from behind and beat me when I was unconscious.

"He admits he behaved in a cowardly way, and he is a coward.

"We met one another on Monday. He was in one corner and me in another.

"He did not talk to me or apologise. But it did not trouble me to see him again."

Barton is currently serving a six-month prison sentence for a separate assault, on a man oustide a Liverpool McDonald's restaurant in December last year.

Newcastle officials will now meet with the 25-year-old bought by former manager Sam Allardyce from City a year ago to discuss whether he has a future on Tyneside.

Dabo, however, believes Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan and owner Mike Ashley should make a moral stand and sack the player.

"This is not the first time he has had trouble with the law," said Dabo.

"English clubs teach you lots of lessons, but in this case they truly lack ethics and morals.

"Newcastle have invested a lot in this guy, and they do not want to lose a lot of money.

"The club does not care a damn about the law - and it shocks me.

"Thankfully there was no confrontation at the court.

"Barton pleaded guilty straight away and I did not need to give evidence.

"That says a lot about me - it shows that my version of the truth is the truth."