Joey Barton has appealed to Marseille fans to judge him on his displays in France after dismissing reports about him in England as "like Hollywood", reports BBC Sport. The 30 year old is set to make home debut for the French club against Limassol in the Europa League on Thursday after joining on loan from QPR.
"It's difficult because of my bad reputation, I find it a bit unfair," midfielder Barton said.
"They are stories like Hollywood, far from the truth."
The midfielder has been prevented from making his league bow because of 12 game suspension.
"The English media love to make headlines and dramatise because, as English football is the number one sport there, it is also one that generates the most media coverage on television and in the press," he added.
"However, I hope that people in France, and here in Marseille, judge me on what I do here and not in relation to what they read."
