Dabo blasts ´lier´ Barton

Ex-Manchester City midfielder Ousmane Dabo says Joey Barton lied about what happened during their training ground clash five years ago.

The pair came to blows in May 2007, which led to Dabo being hospitalised for a detached retina, among other head injuries.

Dabo pressed assault charges against Barton, who was found guilty and handed a four-month suspended sentence.

However, since then, Barton has told of a different version of events, claiming he was merely acting in self-defence as Dabo instigated the incident – a claim the 35-year-old vehemently disagrees with.

“He lied about what happened on (the) training ground of Manchester City, it’s amazing. It shocked me,” Dabo told L’Equipe.

“There was a civil trial, he pleaded guilty and got a four-month suspended sentence. When he speaks … he said that I am the initiator.

“This is false. All team members who were present during the assault testified in my favour at the trial.”

The controversial midfielder has since moved to Dabo’s native France on a season-long loan spell with Marseille from QPR and Dabo did not hold back when asked what he thought about the 30-year-old’s character.

“He says he is a man, a bad boy, but he is a coward. I don’t want to restore my truth, but the truth,” he said.

“Do not be mistaken about Barton, he is taking care of his communication. This is not the first time he does so.

“When he puts a knee to Aguero (during the final day of last season), he does it from behind. I don’t call him a man.”