The Football Association have confirmed that Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with violent conduct over his clash with Blackburn Rovers' Morten Gamst Pedersen on Wednesday evening.

The 28-year-old later gestured that he had only slapped the Norwegian, but that is unlikely to wash, with TV pictures giving a perfect view of Barton's indiscretion during the 2-1 defeat at St James' Park.

An FA statement confirmed: Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with violent conduct by The FA, following an incident in his side's fixture with Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday 10 November.

"Barton has until 6pm on Friday 12 November to reply to the charge and under The FA's fast-track regulations may admit the charge and accept a standard three-match suspension."

Barton had earlier been slammed by Pedersen's Rovers team-mate Jason Roberts, who said:"Morten's turned round to apologise if you watch the footage to say sorry about that foul.

"We've all seen the footage, we all saw what happened, so it will be interesting to see what happens from now going on.

"Morten is a lovely lad and he's never going to say anything to be controversial or make any wild statements, but you could see he was disappointed by what happened."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email