Joey Barton gets nearly 5 months hacked off betting ban
Joey Barton could be chipping away at opponents by the opening day of the 2018-19 season after the Football Association reduced his ban for placing bets by 116 days.
The 34-year-old's plea was heard by the FA's Appeal Board last week and, although his £30,000 fine remains, Thursday's decision moves the end date of his suspension from footballing activities from October 25, 2018 to June 1, 2018.
Barton was found guilty of having 1,260 flutters down the bookies between March 26, 2006 and May 13, 2016 in a blatant breach of FA rules.
A player betting on his own team once is supposed to incur a ban of six months to life, meaning Barton's 15 dabbles fitting that criteria should've been punished with a suspension of at least 90 months. He got a fifth of that term.
Related: Why Joey Barton got off lightly with 18-month betting ban
Barton returned to Burnley in January following an ill-fated spell with Glaswegian giant Rangers. His combative approach was a welcome addition back in Sean Dyche's squad - he was particularly impressive in a 1-1 league draw with Chelsea - but his season was cut short by the ban in April.
The Scouser has endured a troubled career both on and off the pitch. He was most famously imprisoned when he attacked City teammate Ousmane Dabo in 2007, and has collected 78 yellow cards and six red cards in 269 Premier League appearances.