No wonder football stinks. Criminal convictions should mean the end of the road for footballers.

David Bachauer, Manchester , UK

No doubt he will continue to be paid his £60,000 per week while still in jail -- anyone else would lose their job and income .

Might be an idea for the football clubs to state ;
''Convictions = Contract Termination''
as a clause in any future dealings with this individual .

C Reynolds, Luanda , Angola

"It is a crying shame for a player who clearly is very talented".
Sorry, why is it a shame? Do fame and talent put you above the law? He committed a very serious crime.

B Redfern, Krsko, Slovenia

Barton has a history of violence and has had numerous chances to sort himself out. In any other industry, he would have been sacked immediately. It's all about money, not morals.
He's a poor role model for youngsters. Shame, because he was a decent player.

Paul, West Midlands,

Is it Taylor's job to defend the indefensible? i wonder in what other job sectors someone who has twice attacked his own co-workers, assulted members of the general public and acted generally as a thug, would recieve a vote of confidence from the Chairman.

jonners, weybridge,

not surprised that sam allardyce is getting no real criticism from the press for signing barton even though he insisted nufc pay over the odds for him when he had a set buyout clause. nufc ended up paying barton money he clamied city owed him for not asking for a transfer ontop of his transfer fee.

iain, newcastle upon tyne, UK

Yet again football shows itself up - I wonder how the poor victims feel now that their assailant is getting such high profile support. On the other hand has Taylor ever failed to excuse players whatever their misdemeanours - a genuine old-style union leader.

jim, burnley,

Matt - The incident he's just been convicted for, and the subject of this article, happened as he was a Newcastle player!

Also, if NR close will you support the British tax payer picking up the £100Bn bill?

Dave C, Auckland, NZ

Barton should be sacked. His behaviour is unacceptable. Not only is it a bad example, it must set an unhealthy mood on the training ground.

It also affects who Newcastle can sign - Silvestre has already said that he didn't sign as he is friends with Dabo. Who else will turn down Newcastle?

Tom, London,

If Joey Barton was employed in any other profession we would be heralding it as a victory by the justice system over yob culture, but because Joey Barton kicks a bag of air about Gordon Taylor wants us all to give him a hug.

Well, Gordon - chuck ten pints into him and then you first !

Steven, Watford,

great - yet another footballer sets a glowing example to our youth - dont we have enough problems without the likes of high profile overpaid 'stars' setting a bad example, and in this case yet again...... surely he should be sacked and sent to the lower leagues as punishment after prison!

Eliot, Plymouth, UK

Matt, this assault he has jsut been convicted for happeend whilst a Newcastle player.
Whilst I think anyone deserves a second chacne he has pushed it too far.
If any memeber of the public was convicted of this whilst working you would be expecting to get sacked, what makes Barton so special?

mike, nottingham,

my bet is sports direct will sponser nufc next season

tommy, aycliffe, england

How many of the incidents mentioned happened BEFORE he joined newcastle? My point is, his move there was a fresh start for him. If any of these incidents happened since then- well throw the book at him. Other than that newcastle would not be wrong to support him. Oh and Northern Rock should close.

Matt Harrison, leicester, England

What an example to society! Newcastle defending are effectively saying that is ok with the things he has done. If you were in any other job in normal society you would get the sack. What message does this send out to the children that look up to these people?

Tony, dubai, UAE

I thought about it. Barton will pay his debt to society as will NR pay it's to the taxpayer.

Tristan, London,

A football team sponsored by the taxpayer. Step back and think about it.

Adrian, London,