From BBC website:
Man City ban Barton after bust-up
Barton’s agent claims the player was defending himself
Manchester City have suspended Joey Barton for the rest of the season after he hit team-mate Ousmane Dabo in training, BBC Sport understands.
Dabo had to go to hospital after sustaining injuries to his mouth during the incident at Carrington on Tuesday.
Barton’s agent, Willie McKay, said he had not spoken directly to the player yet, but played down the incident.
He told BBC Sport: “As far as I’ve heard, he was defending himself. But because it is Joey it makes headlines.”
McKay added: “It happens on training grounds all over the country, from Chelsea to Yeovil.”
City are currently refusing to confirm the identity of the player who has been suspended.
A club statement read: “We can confirm that a player has been suspended pending an internal investigation.”
The midfield enforcer joined City in June 2006 as a 29-year-old from Italian giants SS Lazio and penned a three-year deal at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Former France international Dabo, 30, joined City from Italian giants Lazio in June 2006, signing a three-year deal.
Midfielder Barton, 24, won his first England cap in the friendly against Spain at Old Trafford in February.