The former France international has called the Olympique de Marseille midfielder a coward and questioned the club’s decision to sign such a volatile player
With limited financial resources, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 still managed to pull off a major stunt in this summer’s transfer window by acquiring the services of England international Joey Barton. The midfielder has joined the Ligue 1 giants on a season-long
loan from English Premier League side Queens Park http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rangers-c40314.
The transfer of the player to Marseille has been highly publicised. Sportingly, however the transfer coup benefits Marseille will be seen in November (following Barton’s 12-game suspension).
Although the arrival of Barton to Canebiere has aroused a lot of excitement among the Marseille faithful, there are many people in France who are sceptic about the signing of Barton.
One of those people is former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ousmane-Dabo-c28891 who was once Joey Barton’s teammate during the duo’s time at Manchester City. Five years ago, the now retired midfielder was literally physically assaulted by the Marseille man. While talking
to L’Equipe regarding that incident, the 35-year-old said that he was very shocked by Barton’s reaction that day.
During a training session, Dabo was tackled by Barton and then the Englishman tasted his own medicine. However, the tackle got the better of Barton who started hitting his teammate who lay unconscious on the ground.
“He tackled me, I responded to his tackle with another. I had no intention to fight. I was not in that state of mind. I turned and there he was, he hit me in the temple. I lost consciousness and when I was on the ground, he jumped on me and kept hitting
me in the face a dozen times. He says he is a man, a bad boy, but he is a coward.”
Yesterday while talking to Canal Football Club, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 president, Jean-Michel Aulas questioned the wisdom behind signing a volatile player like Barton whose reputation precedes him. And, Dabo echoed the Lyon strongman’s sentiments.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jeremy-Menez-c18345 and Ben Arfa for their antics at the Euros, welcome a player like Barton with open arms.
“I found French media very lenient with someone who has committed many horrible things. Nobody wanted him in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749, which is his country, there is a reason (why they don’t want him.”
Tags: