Disappointed Barton says plan to join Marseille off

Joey Barton claimed on Tuesday that his proposed switch from Queens Park Rangers to French Ligue 1 side Marseille had 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...”