City suspend unnamed star
01 May 2007 - 16:56:53
Manchester City have suspended an unnamed player until the end of the season following a training ground incident.
A brief statement from City's head of communications Paul Tyrrell said: "We can confirm that a player has been suspended until the end of the season, pending an internal investigation into a training incident at the Carrington complex.
"The club will be making no further comment at this time."
Reports suggest controversial midfielder Joey Barton and Ousmane Dabo were involved in the incident.
City boss Stuart Pearce said last week that Barton would not be disciplined despite launching a tirade against his team-mates.
The midfielder said that, if he were a paying fan, he would find it difficult to stump up the cash for a season ticket next year after the club's below-par campaign.
The England international also said suggested that Pearce hadn't brought enough quality into the club during his transfer dealings.
But Pearce insisted: "Joey has his own mind and his own thoughts. I don't think you take action against people when they express those views.
"I do believe that anything that could be detrimental to the club should be dealt with internally. But I have spoken to him and I understand how passionate he is about Manchester City."
In the past, the club considered sacking Barton after an incident at a Christmas party when he poked a cigar in junior player Jamie Tandy's eye.
He was then sent home from a pre-season tournament in Thailand after becoming involved in a fight with a young Everton fan. Barton underwent anger management therapy and paid out £120,000 in club fines.
He was also arrested on suspicion of criminal assault and criminal damage after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool, while going to his hotel after a match in March.