Atouba faces three match ban

TOTTENHAM midfielder Thimothee Atouba faces the prospect of a three-match ban after the FA charged him with violent conduct.

The 23-year-old is alleged to have swung an elbow at Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton in the sides’ Premiership clash on Saturday.

Barton left the field with blood pouring from a wound and later had eight stitches in a cut over his eye.