Newcastle's Joey Barton has been charged with violent conduct after appearing to punch Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen at St James' Park.

Midfielder Barton, 28, has until 1800 GMT on Friday to respond, with an admission triggering a three-match ban.

The incident during Rovers' 2-1 win was missed by match referee Mike Jones, who has since assessed video replays of it.

Barton will miss Premier League matches against Fulham, Bolton and Chelsea should he accept the charge.

Immediately after the match neither Newcastle manager Chris Hughton or Blackburn counterpart Sam Allardyce, nor Pedersen, would be drawn on the incident.

But on Thursday, after viewing television footage, Hughton warned that Barton's controversial reputation will heighten attention on the case.

"I have seen it again and I am aware that he has raised his hands," the Newcastle boss said.

"But I am also very conscious that because it's Joey Barton, there will be far more made of it than any other individual."

Also speaking on Thursday, Blackburn assistant boss Neil McDonald agreed with the suggestion that it was a "full-bloodied punch".

"It was unprovoked as well, which probably makes it worse," McDonald added.

Barton, who has won one cap for England, has been involved in several high-profile incidents, including an assault on French midfielder Ousmane Dabo when both players were at Manchester City.

Barton was jailed for six months in 2008 after admitting common assault in a separate case.
He has played an important part in the Newcastle's rise to fifth in the table, featuring in every minute of the newly-promoted side's top-flight campaign.


Source: BBC Sports