Marseille boss Baup: Barton not such a bad boy
Joey Barton is not the bad boy he is portrayed as by the media, his Olympique de Marseille coach and team-mates said on Friday ahead of the Englishman's Ligue 1 debut against Lille on Sunday.
Barton joined on loan from Queens Park Rangers but had to serve a 12-match suspension that was extended to the French league.
"Really looking forward to making my league debut for Marseille on Sunday," Barton wrote on his Twitter account.
"Feel fitter and stronger than ever before. Cannot wait to pay back the fans and the club for showing me love during this turbulent period."
The 30-year-old was suspended 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 to headbutt City captain Vincent Kompany.
"It's an image that crossed the Channel and that he carries with him," Marseille boss Elie Baup told reporters on Friday.
"He is a player with a character."
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Team-mate Nicolas Nkoulou heaped praise on Barton, who has only played five Europa League games this season, scoring once with a direct corner kick.
"He is a very different guy compared to the image that has been pinned to him," the Cameroon defender said.
"On and off the pitch, the image of the guy who throws punches and does absolute nonsense is completely false."