Joey Barton

Joey Barton could face disciplinary action from the Football Association over his clash with Aston Villa's Shaun Maloney.

The Newcastle midfielder was caught on camera appearing to lash out at Maloney during the first half of the Magpies' 4-1 defeat at Villa Park.

Referee Lee Mason and his assistants took no action at the time and the incident was also not included in the official's post-match report.

The FA have decided the clash requires further investigation and will ask for Mason's opinion on footage of the incident, before deciding how to proceed.

Should the referee decide that he would have taken action at the time had he seen the clash, then FA disciplinary chiefs could well charge the former Manchester City player.