Dabo blasts Newcastle for sheltering attacker Barton

London - Lazio midfielder Ousmane Dabo accused Newcastle United of "lacking ethics and morals" Thursday after they decided not to sack midfielder Joey Barton, the player who assaulted him while both were at Manchester City.

Barton this week admitted causing "actual bodily harm" to the French midfielder in a training-ground incident last May, for which he was given a suspended sentence and 200 hours community service.

 He is currently serving a six-month sentence for assault and affray committed in Liverpool in December, when he was on bail for the Dabo attack.

 Barton was jailed on May 20, but could be released with an electronic tag as early as Sunday.

 Newcastle officials are to meet with Barton as soon as he is released, and seem likely to offer him another chance.

 "English clubs teach you lots of lessons but in this case they (Newcastle) lack ethics and morals," Dabo said.

 "Newcastle have invested a lot in this guy and they do not want to lose money. The club does not give a damn about the law and that truly shocks me."

   Dabo is also considering civil action against Barton. "I almost lost an eye," he said. "It was a terrible day for me and ever since then I have been waiting for the trial to come around.

 "Barton pleaded guilty straight away and that meant I did not need to give evidence. That shows that my version of the truth was the truth.

 "He admits that he attacked me, that he struck me from behind and beat me when I was unconscious. He admits that he behaved in a cowardly way."

DPA