FA wait for Bennett report on Barton

The Football Association were today awaiting referee Steve Bennett's report on Newcastle's victory over Aston Villa which saw Joey Barton involved in new controversy.

Newcastle midfielder Barton clashed with Gabriel Agbonlahor during the Barclays Premier League match last night, appearing to flick a hand towards the Villa striker's face after being penalised for a first-half foul.

Bennett spoke to Barton at the time, and both Newcastle number two Chris Hughton and Villa boss Martin O'Neill played the incident down.

However, the FA were today waiting to see the official's report before deciding if there is a case to answer, with Barton playing under the threat of a six-match suspended ban.

An FA spokesman said: "It will be a question of establishing whether the referee saw it and dealt with it at the time.

"If he didn't, the procedure would be to get the footage of the incident and ask the referee for his views."

If Bennett confirms he saw and dealt with the incident at the time, no further action will be taken.

Barton returned to action three games ago after serving six games of a 12-game ban imposed following a training ground incident involving former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

The remaining part of the punishment will come into force should Barton be dismissed for an offence of violent conduct before the end of next season.