Kevin Keegan resigned from his job as Newcastle United manager on Thursday night so who will take over the St James’ Park hotseat? Click here for BP odds.

Joey Barton has been handed a 6-game ban, with a further six suspended, for his training ground assault on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

Barton, 26, had previously admitted the charge of violent conduct and was fined £25,000 at the personal hearing.

All of the suspended matches will be invoked should Barton be found guilty of any similar charge involving violence or be dismissed from the field of play for violent conduct.

A statement from the commission chairman Maurice Armstrong on the FA’s official website said: “Much has been written about Mr Barton over recent months.

“The Regulatory Commission had the benefit of taking all appropriate information into consideration. 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 pro-active support Mr Barton has received from Newcastle United FC 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 judgement.”

Kevin Keegan resigned from his job as Newcastle United manager on Thursday night so who will take over the St James’ Park hotseat? Click here for BP odds.