Thursday, 3rd October, 2013
Joey Barton has blamed QPR owner Tony Fernandes for blocking his permanent move to Marseille, this despite having manager Harry Redknapp's blessing.
Barton returned to QPR this summer after his loan spell at Marseille, but the fiery midfielder had his heart set on moving to France on a full-time basis.
QPR had been keen on getting a transfer fee for the same, but Marseille's financial situation did not allow for that meaning the move fell through.
"When I came back this summer, the situation was very difficult", Barton told L'Equipe. "The club had been relegated and had to sell players.
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"So I was confident. I said to myself: 'I'll work in training, I will be quiet, and in the end I will leave for Marseille and all will be well'.
"We had an agreement with OM and I also spoke with Harry [Redknapp]. He told me that he understood why I wanted to leave and did not prevent me.
"But then, the QPR chairman refused to let me go on a free. He asked Marseille to pay a transfer fee, and it was not possible."
While Barton insists he is happy to be back playing in England, seeing Marseille compete in Europe still has the Englishman pining for action at the Stade Velodrome.
Marseille are currently without points in the Champions League – after two straight defeats – but Barton added: "I also would have liked to be playing [in Europe].
"But I'm especially happy for them, because I kept friends there. I would have loved to be there again, but that's how it is. I hope that one day I can play a Champions League match at the Velodrome.
"I'm just happy to play football. If I have to stay [at QPR], I at least want to have fun on the field."
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