Joey Barton given 12-match ban

Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton has been given a 12-match ban by the Football Association for violent conduct.

The midfielder was charged on two counts by the FA for incidents during his side's final game of the season against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month.

Barton, who had already been sent off for an elbow on Carlos Tevez, admitted to kicking Sergio Aguero but denied aiming a headbutt at Vincent Kompany.

However, the 29-year-old has been found guilty on both charges at a personal hearing by an Independent Regulatory Commission.

"There are rules of conduct that should be adhered to, and such behaviour tarnishes the image of football in this country, particularly as this match was the pinnacle of the domestic season and watched by millions around the globe," said the chairman of the commission.

Four games of the ban are from the initial sending off, while another eight matches have been added because of the subsequent incidents. He has also been fined £75,000.

The ban will begin at the start of next season.