LONDON (Reuters) - Manchester City midfielder Ousmane Dabo said he was left looking 'like the Elephant Man' after being attacked by team mate Joey Barton in training this week.

Barton has been suspended by the club for the rest of the season after the attack which French international midfielder Dabo, who was hospitalised, described as cowardly.

"I am disfigured, my left eye has been affected. I believe he put his fingers in my eyes," Dabo told Thursday's edition of French paper L'Equipe.
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Dabo said the two men had a heated exchange after catching each other with bad tackles.

"I thought it was over and when I wanted to turn away he hit me with a terrible punch that knocked me out. He acted like a coward, it wasn't a fair fight."

Dabo's left eye has been taped closed and he has swellings and facial marks following hospital treatment.

"When I woke up this morning I looked at myself in the mirror with my face all swollen up and I looked like the Elephant Man," he told The Sun.

"I'm a big guy and if it had been a face-to-face fight he would have known about it."

Barton was fined six weeks' wages in 2004 for stubbing a cigar in a team mate's eye during a Christmas party and his future at City is in doubt after the latest incident.

Reuters

Barton arrested over bust-up

16/ 5/2007

MANCHESTER City's Joey Barton has been arrested by police investigating the training-ground bust-up with team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

The 24-year-old England midfielder was arrested on suspicion of assault after being quizzed by officers at a Greater Manchester police station.

French international Dabo, 30, claims he was attacked during a practice session at City's Carrington training ground on May 1.

He asked officers to investigate the incident, which he said left him looking like the `Elephant Man' and needing hospital treatment.

It is understood Barton attended the police station last night after being called in for questioning. He was then arrested.

He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

It came the day after City manager Stuart Pearce was sacked by the club.

It also comes shortly after Barton was snubbed by England boss Steve McClaren.

He has been left out of the England's B squad for the friendly against Albania on May 25.

Liverpool-born Barton was suspended by City after the training-ground bust-up and a question mark hangs over his future at Eastlands, even though he has three years left on his contact.

He is expected to meet club officials for talks about his future. Everton are being touted as the favourites to sign the £5.5 million-rated player this summer.

But a number of other domestic and foreign clubs are said to be interested.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of Section 20 assault following an incident during which a 30-year-old man was assaulted on Tuesday, May 1.

"The 24-year-old has been released on bail until July 11 pending further inquiries."

Manchester Evening News