Police to question Man City's Barton in assault probe

LONDON, May 11 (Reuters) Police are to question Manchester City and England midfielder Joey Barton over reports that he attacked a team mate, newspapers said today.

The Manchester Evening News quoted a spokesman for Greater Manchester police as saying: ''We are due to speak to a 25-year-old man in connection with a report of assault from a 30-year-old man.

''Arrangements are being made for the 25-year-old man to go to a police station for questioning. Inquiries are ongoing.'' They would confirm no other details.

Barton, 25, is alleged to have assaulted City team mate Ousmane Dabo, 30 in a training ground fight last week.

Dabo made a formal complaint to the police after saying Barton's attack left him looking like ''the Elephant Man'' with a badly swollen face.

Dabo also said that Barton's punches resulted in him suffering a suspected detached retina.

Barton has been suspended by City for the rest of the season and doubts now surround his future at the club.

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