Barton : move to Marseille off

Joey Barton says his proposed switch from Queens Park Rangers to French Ligue 1 side Marseille has fallen through. The midfielder, who turns 30 next month, is currently without a squad number at Loftus Road having been hit with a 12-match ban by the FA following his sending off at Manchester City on the final day of last season. QPR manager Mark Hughes has also stripped Barton of the captaincy and the player has been strongly linked with a move away from the club throughout the summer. On Sunday, Barton indicated via his Twitter account that he was set to join Marseille, who lead the French league after three games this season, with his ban only applicable in England. However, he returned to Twitter on Tuesday to say that any potential switch to the Stade Velodrome now appeared out of the question. "Doesn't look like this Marseille thing is gonna happen now," he wrote. "'Whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger' #heartbroken." "Why can't things just be simple..." Marseille coach Elie Baup is believed to be more interested in strengthening his defence before the transfer window closes in France on September 4. The former Manchester City and Newcastle man's immediate future remains uncertain, although he could find himself in even more trouble with his club after adding: "Been forced to go back training with the kids and fellow Taliban members at 2pm today... "Maybe this is time to dumb down and be dishonest. It seems to take you a long way in this game..." QPR have refused to comment.