Controversial English midfielder Joey Barton could make his Olympique Marseille de-but in the Europa League against Fenerbahce next week, the club’s assistant coach Franck Passi said yesterday.

Barton is currently serving a 12-match ban after being found guilty of two charges of violent conduct while playing for English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on the last day of last season.

And Barton, on a year loan from QPR to the Mediterra-nean club, will sit out nine Ligue 1 or League Cup matches in France, in accordance with FIFA transfer rules.

But he is eligible to play in Europe and assistant coach Passi said: “He’s spent two months without training normally.

“Physically, he’ll need a little more time but it’s possible that he takes part in the Europa League match away to Fenerbahce on September 20.”

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