It's Bonjour Barton at Marseille

Sky Sports understands QPR midfielder Joey Barton is set to join Ligue 1 side Marseille on a season-long loan deal, with Stephane Mbia moving in the opposite direction.

Doubt over whether Barton has a future at Loftus Road was fuelled earlier on Thursday when his old number 17 shirt was given to summer signing Ryan Nelsen.

The midfielder must serve a 12-game ban to start the season after his red card and violent conduct in the final match of the last campaign against former club Manchester City.

It now appears the 29-year-old, who was also stripped of QPR's captaincy over the summer and previously trained with League Two Fleetwood Town, will spend the season in France.

It will mark the first time the once-capped England international, formerly of City and Newcastle, has plied his trade at an overseas club.

Mbia, who can play at centre-back and in midfield, is poised to move the other way on a season-long loan in West London.

The 26-year-old Cameroon international joined Marseille

Barton Makes No Appeal

Queens Park Rangers' midfielder Joey Barton will not be appealing against his 12-match ban handed out by the Football Association.

Barton was hit with the lengthy ban and fined £75,000 by an FA appointed independent regulatory commission on Wednesday following his red-card and subsequent incidents at Manchester City on the final day of the season.

After being dismissed for elbowing Carlos Tevez, he then kicked out at Sergio Aguero and clashed with Vincent Kompany as he left the pitch in the match on May 13.

QPR are now carrying out their own investigation into the incident, and said in

a statement: "Queens Park Rangers Football Club can confirm it has now started a full internal investigation in relation to Joey Barton's dismissal and subsequent events against Manchester City on the final day of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season.

"The QPR midfielder will not appeal against the independent regulatory commission's decision made on Wednesday and he and his team are now working in full cooperation with the club to assist in the internal investigation.

"The club expects the investigation to last at least two weeks.

"During this period, no one from the club or Joey Barton himself will make any further comment."

Barton received an automatic four-game suspension, with the additional eight matches a consequence of the manner of his dismissal.

The acts were condemned by the chairman of the regulatory commission, who stated: "There are rules of conduct that should be adhered to, and such behaviour tarnishes the image of football in this country, particularly as this match was the pinnacle of the domestic season and watched by millions around the globe."

It remains to be seen whether Barton will be part of the QPR squad for their pre-season tour to Asia in July.

Costly if QPR Barton Part Company

Queen's Park Rangers face a bill of up to £11 million if they decide to sack Joey Barton after he was handed a 12-match ban by the Football Association.

The midfielder was issued with the punishment yesterday after the FA found him guilty of "tarnishing the image of football" in the wake of his sending-off at Manchester City when he elbowed Carlos Tévez and kicked Sergio Aguero before trying to headbutt Vincent Kompany.

The FA announced Barton received an automatic four-game suspension, with the additional eight matches a consequence of the manner of his dismissal. He was also fined £75,000.

It now remains to be seen whether of not his club will hold on to him for next season though any decision to release him is likely to cost just shy of £11m as they would be obliged to honour the finances of his contract which has three years to run on £70,000-a-week.

According to the Evening Standard, QPR are still unable to legally sack Barton in spite of his conduct.

Speaking earlier this month, QPR chairman Tony Fernandes said: "There are experienced people who will come back to me and we'll review the whole situation.

"Joey has been an integral part of the club and has played his part.

"This is football, and I'm new to it. I don't profess to have all the answers."

Barton denied the charge of violent conduct against Kompany, but the FA said the case against the player was found to be proved.

The acts were condemned by the chairman of the regulatory commission, who stated: "There are rules of conduct that should be adhered to, and such behaviour tarnishes the image of football in this country, particularly as this match was the pinnacle of the domestic season and watched by millions around the globe."

The FA's regulatory panel had discretionary powers to further increase the length of the suspension if charges were found to be proven.

Barton's admission on Twitter that his violent actions were a cynical ploy to provoke a City player to be sent off saw those discretionary powers employed.

Barton insisted via Twitter on the day of his sending-off that he had not lost his head, but that a team-mate "suggested I should try to take 1 of theirs with me".

Gunners Defeated in Loftus Battle

QPR breathed new life into their relegation battle with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Loftus Road to end the Gunners' Premier League winning streak.

Former Tottenham midfielder Adel Taarabt had fired the hosts into the lead on 22 minutes with his first Premier League goal, but Arsenal levelled through Theo Walcott.

Rangers, though, snatched what could prove a priceless victory when Samba Diakite crashed in midway through the second half, but remain in the bottom three after Bolton won at Wolves.

QPR captain Joey Barton had used his pre-match programme notes to call for the Rs fans to get behind him after being booed off the pitch while being substituted during the win over Liverpool 10 days ago.

However, the controversial midfielder received a mixed reception when his name was read out ahead of kick off.

Walcott made early progress down the right channel, forcing a corner which was eventually hacked clear.

Arsenal continued to press without stretching the home side.

On seven minutes, Clint Hill bundled Walcott over to concede a free-kick just right of centre, 25 yards out.

Robin van Persie struck a low, curled effort goalwards, which Paddy Kenny gathered at the second attempt, with Walcott looking to pounce on the loose ball.

Rangers were soon on the offensive, with Alex Song needing to make a couple of important blocks as Bobby Zamora threatened.

The home side continued to push Arsenal back, and Zamora sent a free header over from 10 yards after a deep free-kick into the area.

The hosts had the lead on 22 minutes.

Taarabt collected a pass from the halfway line, before turning Thomas Vermaelen on the edge of the penalty area and dispatching the ball into the bottom corner.

Moroccan Taarabt marked his first Premier League goal by donning a fez that he then threw into the crowd, but referee Mike Dean took a dim view of his actions and brandished a yellow card.

Arsenal needed to regroup, but had been in this situation more than once recently and recovered to secure victory.

QPR, however, remained full of energy, with Taarabt enjoying plenty of the ball.

Arsenal were level on 37 minutes with their first real chance.

Van Persie made space on the edge of the area and stabbed the ball to Walcott.

The England winger cracked a first-time effort off the base of the far post, and was quickest to the rebound, hooking in his seventh Premier League goal of the season.

Arsenal now passed the ball around with confidence, Aaron Ramsey dragging a low shot from 20 yards across goal and wide.

The visitors pressed again at the start of the second half, as Bacary Sagna floated over a deep cross from the right which fellow full-back Kieran Gibbs nodded just wide.

QPR were now finding it difficult to retain much possession, and then gave the ball away when looking to build a break.

On 57 minutes, Kenny punched away an angled free-kick from Van Persie.

The Dutchman was denied again by the QPR keeper after spinning off his marker and racing into the penalty area.

QPR went ahead for the second time on 66 minutes.

Vermaelen slipped again, allowing Jamie Mackie to skip into the penalty and pulled the ball back for Diakite to slam home.

Arsenal needed another response and on 69 minutes, Gervinho replaced Ramsey.

QPR soaked up plenty of pressure, but also looked dangerous on the break as Arsenal committed men forwards.

With 10 minutes left, Mikel Arteta was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Marouane Chamakh came on for Gibbs.

Barton almost sealed it when his effort was tipped over by Wojciech Szczesny after another break by Mackie down the right.

The late Arsenal fightback never materialised as Rangers closed out four minutes of stoppage time to boost their hopes of staying up.

Joey Barton Talks Twitter Retirement

Joey Barton has decided to take a break from the social networking site, and the QPR midfielder bowed out in his own inimitable style, aiming a broadside at the city of Sunderland.

After airing his frustrations at being an unused substitute for QPR's 3-1 reverse at the Stadium of Light, the controversial 29-year-old said: 

'Reminds me of a film this 5under1and place.........can't think which one. #thedeliverance.'

Prior to the match, Barton tweeted his frustrations at not making boss Mark Hughes's first XI.

'All time low.........2 ways out. 1.Work hard 2.Worker harder', and 'Very, very disappointed.'

And in what Barton claims will be his final missive for a while, Barton went on to say: 'Going to take a little twitter sabbatical before I say something I'll end up regretting. Have a good few weeks people.'

Based on James Dickey's novel, John Boorman's nightmarish 1972 film sees four Atlanta businessmen canoeing along the Cahulawassee River on an ill-fated weekend.

Barton Shows New England Kit

The new England home kit which will be worn at the upcoming European Championships was revealed by one cap midfielder Joey Barton.

The kit which will be worn for the first time at Wembley on Wednesday in the friendly with Holland was shown off by the QPR captain via his Twitter page on Wednesday night.

Kit manufacturers Umbro have broken with tradition and for the first time the England shirt has been made purely from red and white.

The traditional blue which has been found in the famous Three Lions crest has been ditched and replaced with an all red badge.

The inspiration comes from the St. George’s flag which according to Umbro is a ‘symbolic notion of Englishness’.

Barton, who has made a 12 minute cameo for England against Spain in 2007, used the social networking site to tell England caretaker manager Stuart Pearce he would be happy to wear the new shirt, saying: ‘Yes ok Stuart I will reconsider my international retirement only because you asked nicely #newengkit’

The kit will go on sale on February 29

Barton Sent Off in QPR defeat

Joey Barton took little time in questioning the "ridiculous decision" by the match officials to send him off in QPR's 2-1 defeat by Norwich at Loftus Road for an apparent headbutt on Bradley Johnson on Twitter.

After firing the home side in front on 11 minutes, Barton then lost his cool following a tussle with Johnson, when he appeared to headbutt the Norwich midfielder.

After consultation with the assistant, he was shown a red card by referee Neil Swarbrick.

However, the QPR captain defended himself on Twitter.

He added: "Linesman definitely never saw it, all he seen was Johnsons reaction. My head dosent move forward at all. Ridiculous decision seen 25 replays."

Anthony Pilkington drew Norwich level just before half-time with a fine 20-yard effort, before substitute Steve Morison completed the turnaround with eight minutes left.

Barton continued his defence on the social networking site, adding: "I'd be 1st to apologise if I'd reacted. Cannot apologise as I know I've not head butted anyone. Disappointed for the lads and the fans.

"Make ur own minds up when u see it. The games gone!"

Rugby Players Get Off Lightly - Barton

Joey Barton has claimed there would have been ''public executions'' had the England football team behaved like their rugby union counterparts at the World Cup.

England's dismal campaign in New Zealand lurched from one controversy to another before and after their quarter-final exit, with players criticised for their off-field behaviour during the tournament.

QPR captain Barton, who has one international cap, told the Professional Players Federation national conference: ''If that was an England football team at a World Cup, there would probably have been public executions when they got home.

''Football's a gentleman's game played by thugs', I hear quite a lot, and, 'rugby's a thug's game played by gentlemen'.

''The minute a footballer steps out of line, I think the media in this country - because of the sums of money they earn and also because of the stigma attached - are really quick to jump on it.''

Barton also took issue with footballers' status as role models.

''There is a lot of envy about what footballers earn, the astronomical figures,'' he said. ''That's not our fault.

"I went from being on £300 a week playing in a big league to £6,500 a week.

''No-one taught me how to handle that, no-one taught me how to be a man, I didn't instantly get that wage increase and become a role model.

''I was still the same kid from a working-class council estate.''

However, despite criticising media intrusion into players' private lives, Barton hit out at the behaviour of England captain John Terry and Manchester United star Ryan Giggs in their private lives.

He said of the latter: "The Giggs issue in any walk of life is not right, the behaviour of the man towards another man, towards his brother. It's not right."