Saturday, 8th September, 2012
Marseille have confirmed that Joey Barton will feature for the club in the Europa League.
The French Football Federation announced on Thursday that the 12-match ban Barton was serving in England, with Queens Park Rangers, will follow him to France.
And despite three games already served, that still put Barton in line to make his Ligue 1 debut only on 18th November against Bordeaux.
However, the 30-year-old midfielder can play for Marseille in Europe and the Stade Velodrome outfit have now declared that he will be considered for duty in the Europa League.
Marseille’s Europa League opener is on 20th September, away at Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
"The suspension is confirmed and he will not play in the next Ligue 1 games and the Coup de la Ligue, but he will be there for the Europa League", commented Marseille coach Elie Baup at a press conference.
"However, there are other factors, like his physical shape, as the match in Istanbul will arrive in just 15 days, while he took part in his first training group only yesterday.
"Currently, in any case, he is here and ready to work."
Barton is keen to make a positive impact in France, viewing the season-long loan as a fresh start away from the controversies which have dogged him in English football.
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