MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Burnley midfielder Joey Barton has been suspended from the game for 18 months with immediate effect after admitting to an FA misconduct charge over betting on matches. The FA said in a statement that the 34-year-old was suspended from "all football activity" with immediate effect, fined 30,000 pounds and warned as to his future conduct. "I have fought addiction to gambling and provided the FA with a medical report about my problem. In his lengthy statement Barton also pointed out the heavy involvement of the gambling industry in British football where bookmakers act as sponsors at several levels. Burnley are 16th in the league standings, five points above the relegation zone with four games left to play.

Source: The Star April 26, 2017 13:05 UTC