LONDON (Reuters) - Burnley manager Sean Dyche described midfielder Joey Barton's 18-month ban for breaching betting rules as harsh on Thursday. Barton, 34, received his punishment on Wednesday after admitting a Football Association charge relating to bets placed from 2006 to 2016. Former England international Barton, who plans to appeal against the ban, will not be offered another contract, Dyche said. "On the football side of things, we didn't want it to get in the way of thinking he was a worthwhile player to bring back. Barton returned to Burnley on a short-term deal in January for a second spell having helped them win promotion to the Premier League last season.

Source: The Star April 27, 2017 15:11 UTC