Barton's ban reduced by FA

A Football Association (FA) appeals board has reduced the ban Joey Barton received for gambling offences by a total of five months.

The former Burnley player's ban will now expire on 1 June 2018, rather than on 25 October 2018.

The once-capped England midfielder received a heavy suspension in April after being found guilty of breaking FA rules on gambling by placing a total of 1,260 bets on matches over a 10-year period, including a small amount on games involving his own team.

The 34-year-old was very vocal in protesting at the severity of his punishment, calling into question the FA's own relationship with the gambling industry.

A subsequent review by the governing body led them to terminate a sponsorship agreement they had with a leading bookmaker.

Barton's appeal pleaded for leniency and his request has been partially granted.

Citing the fact that a report from Barton's consultant psychiatrist should not have been rejected at the initial hearing, the FA's appeal board accepted his punishment was excessive.

"[The ban] was excessive in the circumstances....the Appeal Board also considers if that expert opinion had not been rejected there would have been significant further reduction in the period of suspension," their statement read.

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