Barton will not face FA questions

(GETTY IMAGES)

Joey Barton is not to be charged or questioned by the Football Association over the first-half incident involving him and Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor at St James' Park on Monday night. Allegations which surfaced on Tuesday that there was a racial dimension to the brief confrontation prompted the FA to write to Villa and Agbonlahor yesterday morning, which meant uncertainty for the controversial Barton. But last night the FA made another statement on their website saying that the issue is now closed.

"The FA wrote to Aston Villa on Wednesday morning to ask for any information the club could provide regarding allegations reported in today's media of remarks made by Joey Barton to Gabriel Agbonlahor during Villa's match against Newcastle on Monday," began the FA's statement. "The club has responded to inform us that they have no complaints to make. On this basis the FA will not be pursuing this matter."

Due to the seriousness of an accusation of racism, the FA felt compelled to act yesterday even though on Tuesday night officials stated that they would not be taking the issue further without an official complaint from Villa. Villa said that they would not be making one but as the game's governing body, the FA has to respond and intervened anyway. At five o'clock yesterday an FA official explained: "We don't need a formal complaint to proceed. We wrote to Aston Villa asking for their observations and we also wish to hear Gabriel Agbonlahor's observations. We heard that Aston Villa were not pursuing the matter but we do not need them to. There is a requirement on them to assist the FA in any enquiry." The spokesman strenuously denied pre-judging Barton and added: "This is normal procedure when such reports come into the public domain."

Within three hours, however, the FA announced that the matter was closed. Newcastle United made no comment, nor did Barton, though privately it is understood that he vigorously denied making any racist remark. He is believed to be considering his legal position regarding the allegations.

Barton has a six-game suspension hanging over him from the Ousmane Dabo assault, to which he pleaded guilty of violent conduct. But this will not now be activated and he will be free to play against Fulham on Sunday.

After Monday's match Barton said of Agbonlahor: "We shook hands after the game, and that's the way it is. "He was going on and on, and all I said to him was to be quiet and let his feet do the talking. That was it." Barton was seen to clip Agbonlahor's face with his hand and there was also a verbal exchange. Referee Steve Bennett did not see the moment of contact and after reviewing video evidence, decided not to include it in his report.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, meanwhile, is said to be in discussions with two American parties over the sale of the club. The two mentioned by Keith Harris of bankers Seymour Pierce are thought to be established US sports companies, with the Financial Times reporting that Ashley is realistic about the asking price, which is said to reflect the £250m he said he has invested at St James'.