Burnley boss Sean Dyche has argued the 18-month ban imposed on Joey Barton is "harsh" on the day the Football Association published their reasons for suspending the midfielder following betting breaches.
The FA imposed the punishment on the 34-year-old on Wednesday in relation to Barton making 1,260 bets on matches between March 2006 and May 2016, with a regulatory commission arguing an 18-month ban was "not out of kilter" with previous betting cases and was the "shortest possible sanction" that could have been handed out.
Barton re-signed for the Clarets on a short-term deal in January, when Burnley made financial provisions for the possibility of such a big suspension, and although he will appeal, he accepts his playing career has now likely been brought to an end.