Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton was charged with violent conduct Thursday by England's Football Association over an attack on a former Manchester City teammate.
Barton pleaded guilty in court last month to assaulting Ousmane Dabo at Man City's training ground in May 2007. He was given a four-month suspended jail sentence.
The 25-year-old Barton was released from jail on Monday after serving 74 days for assaulting two people outside a McDonald's restaurant in central Liverpool last December.
Newcastle signed Barton following his altercation with Dabo, who was left unconscious and covered in blood after being punched up to five times.
Manager Kevin Keegan has said he is standing by his player and the club questioned why Barton, who has until Aug. 13 to respond to the FA, has only just been charged.
"The club has sought clarification from the Football Association as to why this decision has been reached now, given the incident occurred nearly 15 months ago," Newcastle said in a statement. "Joey will be requesting a personal hearing in relation to the charge."
The FA said it could not act until the criminal case was concluded.
"The incident has been the result of legal proceedings which concluded at Manchester Crown Court on 1 July 2008," the FA said. "The FA has subsequently received all relevant documentation following the conclusion of this case and the charge is based on the certificate of conviction."
John Hartson was banned for three matches and fined in 1999 after kicking West Ham teammate Eyal Berkovic in the head during a training session.
