QPR midfielder Joey Barton has suffered a blow as he bids to kickstart his career at Olympique Marseille.

Barton will still have to serve out his 12-match suspension even after his move to France.

Any hopes that he might avoid serving his ban after moving to a new country have been dashed by a statement from the French League, the LFP.

The statement, published on both the LFP and Marseille's websites, read: "Upon the transfer of Joey Barton from Queens Park Rangers to Olympique Marseille, the English Football Association transmitted to the French Football Federation the disciplinary sanction he was subject to in the English league.

"In accordance with article 12 of FIFA's Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players, the sanction is applicable in France.

"Consequently Joey Barton, having served three of his 12-match suspension [in England], is suspended for the next nine games in domestic competition (Ligue 1 and the Coupe de la Ligue)."