QPR Transfer News: Joey Barton To Evade FA Ban By Joining Marseille

Joey Barton is plotting an audacious way around his 12 match ban from the English FA by hoping to join French outfit Marseille on a short term loan deal, according to The Sun. Barton was handed the massive ban after being found guilty on two counts of violent conduct. He appeared to elbow Carlos Tevez on the final round of fixtures last season, and was handed an initial four match ban as it was his second dismissal of the campaign. The further eight game suspension was warranted for his actions as he left the field of play, where he kicked out at Sergio Aguero and aimed a headbutt at team captain Vincent Kompany. He served the first of his 12 match bans by sitting out his sides opening day defeat to Swansea, as QPR were battered 5-0. Now he is hoping that by joining a French outfit, he can effectively skip the rest of his suspension by playing football away from England. However, the English FA are believed to have requested to their French counterparts that the ban is upheld if any transfer goes through. Executives were in London last night trying to agree a cut-price deal for the midfielder, but may now have to abort their plans if the French FA agrees to uphold Barton's suspension. QPR are believed to be wanting rid of the fiery midfielder, who's career has been scattered with controversy. He was jailed for six months in 2008 when he admitted to assault and affray after causing actual bodily harm to a patron at a McDonald's restauraunt in Liverpool. The judge who sentenced him described his actions then as "violent and cowardly."