As someone more used to delivering blows than receiving them, Joey Barton may not recognise a slap on the wrist, but that is what the Newcastle United midfield player got in his latest brush with the FA.

A 12-match ban, six of those suspended until the end of next season, may not seem the most lenient punishment, but to an individual with a tendency towards recidivism, it represents a result. He has also been given a £25,000 fine, about three days’ work.

The FA was meant to throw the book at Barton, who had pleaded guilty to a charge of violent conduct after a training ground attack on Ousmane Dabo while they were team-mates at Manchester City 16 months ago. The English game’s governing body was meant to take a moral stance where Newcastle had failed, largely because of the support afforded the player by Kevin Keegan, the club’s former manager, who, despite his departure from St James’ Park two days ago, maintained that backing by faxing a character reference of his former charge for yesterday’s hearing in Soho Square.

The expected 15 to 18-match suspension and six-figure fine failed to materialise. David Prutton, suspended for ten games 3½ years ago for laying hands on Alan Wiley, the referee, while playing for Southampton, a somewhat lesser degree of contact than that used by Barton on Dabo, must wonder about the consistency in the rulings.

On this occasion the four-man panel, which included Graham Taylor, the former England manager, took less than two hours to reach a verdict on the altercation in May last year, for which Barton had received a four-month suspended prison sentence from the courts. “Much has been written about Mr Barton over recent months and the regulatory commission had the benefit of taking all appropriate information into consideration,” the FA said last night. “The commission members considered principally the serious attack by Mr Barton that clearly cannot be accepted.

“The members also had to take into consideration the sanctions imposed by the courts and the proactive support Mr Barton has received from Newcastle United and other professional bodies.

“The commission members wanted to punish the offence appropriately, but give Mr Barton an opportunity to ensure his professional conduct does not falter again and ensure he is fully aware of the consequences should he make another serious error of judgment.”

Over the years, Barton has lurched from one serious error of judgment to another, but there are others in addition to Keegan willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Joey’s changed dramatically,” Peter Kay, at whose Sporting Chance clinic the player has sought help for his addictive personality, said yesterday. “He’s a person who just wants to play football.”

Barton, who in July was released 74 days into a six-month prison term for common assault after a drink-fuelled attack on a teenager at Christmas, will serve the full 12-match suspension only if he steps out of line in the next 20 months. With an appeal possible within 14 days, the length of the ban could yet be cut.

Past indiscretions

Joey Barton’s FA ban pales when compared with other punishments. Eric Cantona was suspended for eight months for his flying kick at a spectator in 1995 and two players have received lengthy bans for pushing referees. Paolo Di Canio was banned for 11 matches for knocking over Paul Alcock in 1998 and David Prutton was suspended for ten games for shoving Alan Wiley in 2005.