Thursday, 6th September, 2012
The French Football Federation have confirmed that Joey Barton’s 12-match ban in English football will follow him to France.
Barton was handed the punishment for his actions in Queens Park Rangers’ game at Manchester City on the final day of the last Premier League season, a match he was sent off in for violent conduct.
The 30-year-old was loaned to French giants Marseille last week, for the entire 2012/13 campaign, and was looking forward to a fresh start in Ligue 1.
But the French Federation have received details on Barton’s ban from the English FA and, with the player only having already served three games, insist there are still nine to serve.
This means the earliest Barton can pull on a Marseille shirt in Ligue 1 is 18th of November, when Elie Baup’s men face Bordeaux.
"Relating to the transfer of Joey Barton from English club Queens Park Rangers to Olympique de Marseille, the English Football Association has forwarded the French Football Federation, disciplinary punishment details given to Joey Barton in the English Premier League", read a statement released by the French authorities.
"Pursuant to Article 12 of the Regulations for the Status and Transfers of Players, the sanctions are applicable in France.
"As a result, the player Joey Barton, who has served three of his 12-game suspension, was suspended for the next nine meetings of national competition (Ligue 1 or the Coupe de la Ligue)."
Barton can however represent Marseille in the Europa League. The French side start their European campaign against Fenerbahce in Turkey on 20th September.
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