Barton to serve remainder of ban in France
Reuters - Thursday 06 September 2012, 20:56
Olympique Marseille midfielder
Joey Barton will serve the remaining nine games of his 12-match
ban in France after joining the club on a one-year loan from
Queens Park Rangers, the French league (LFP) said on Thursday.
The 30-year-old was suspended for 12 games by the English FA
after being sent off for violent conduct in QPR's final Premier
League match of last season against Manchester City.
He was dismissed for elbowing Carlos Tevez and then kicked
Sergio Aguero. He also appeared to try and headbutt City captain
Vincent Kompany.
"When Joey Barton was transferred from Queens Park Rangers
to Olympique Marseille, the FA relayed the sanction taken
against him to the French football federation," the LFP said on
its website.
"According to FIFA rules... the player, who has already
served three games, has been suspended for the next nine matches
in the French competitions."
The former Manchester City and Newcastle United player will
miss eight Ligue 1 matches and one League Cup match and will be
eligible to face Bordeaux in Marseille's Nov. 18 league fixture.
Barton can play in the Europa League for his new team
because domestic suspensions do not apply to European club
competitions. Marseille have been drawn in Group C with
Fenerbahce, Borussia Monchengladbach and AEL Limassol.