Barton bad news for Newcastle?

Joey Barton joined Newcastle today after a chequered career with Manchester City. The midfielder has been in the news for his behaviour as much as his talent.

Here, PA Sport details some of the incidents which have been bad news for Barton:

2004: February – Barton picks up the first red card of his career in City’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Tottenham. After being booked for a late challenge in the first half, the midfielder is shown a second yellow for dissent.

April – Barton storms out of Eastlands before kick-off after being axed from the side to face Southampton.

July – Blasted by manager Kevin Keegan for causing a mass brawl in a pre-season friendly at Doncaster.

December – Stubs a lit cigar into the eye of young team-mate Jamie Tandy during club’s Christmas party. Fined six weeks’ wages by City. Forced to pay four weeks’ salary – approximately £60,000 – immediately, with a further two weeks suspended for a year.

2005: May – Barton breaks leg of 35-year-old pedestrian while driving his car at 2am in Liverpool city centre.

July – Involved in an altercation with a 15-year-old Everton fan at City’s team hotel in Bangkok, where the team are playing in the FA Premier League Trophy. Is fined eight weeks’ wages by City after being found guilty of gross misconduct. Accepts punishment and agrees to undertake a programme of rehabilitation.

2006: September – Drops his shorts in the direction of Everton fans following City’s 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Merseyside Police investigate the matter.

December – Barton is shown the second red card of his career – this time a straight red – for a wild two-footed lunge on Abdoulaye Faye in City’s 2-0 home defeat to Bolton.

2007: March – Arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage in an incident involving a taxi driver. Bailed until May pending further inquiries.

May – Suspended by City for the rest of the season after a training ground altercation with Ousmane Dabo which leaves his team-mate needing hospital treatment.