David Beckham could make French debut against Joey Barton
English pair set for meeting in Ligue 1
Monday 11 February 2013
Related articles
One is a globally popular symbol of modern celebrity whose looks, charity work, and visits to troops in Afghanistan have endeared him to millions.
The other is a controversial convict, whose move abroad was brought on by a 12-match ban for a violent outburst on the final day of last season, and whose vicious attacks on team mates (including a cigar-in-eye incident) ended his Manchester City career.
And in a fortnight the two Englishmen abroad may well face off, when David Beckham's Paris St Germain play Joey Barton's Marseille in French football's biggest derby.
PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti said today that Beckham is likely to make his debut in Le Classique February 24.
Asked when Beckham would be fit to play, the Italian told French sports daily L'Equipe: "Against Marseille I think. We will see in the coming days but maybe he will be a bit on the short side for the Sochaux game (this weekend)."
Former England captain Beckham joined the French champions as a free agent last month but has to improve his fitness before he can challenge for a place in the squad.
He made global headlines last month by announcing that his £8.5m salary will be given to a children's charity.
Barton, on the other hand, was sent off for the first time in Ligue 1, for his second yellow card against Nancy.
The former Newcastle and Man City man is on loan from current club QPR, and it may surprise some that it took him so long to get sent off. In 2008 he was jailed after admitting assault and affray on a street in Liverpool city centre.
Upon joining his current employers, he called on the fans not to prejudge him, and said his reputation as a bad boy was unfair. But in a friendly game in October against FC Istres, he wrestled Ivorian striker Guy-Roland Niangbo to the ground before squaring up for a heated exchange.
PSG, who lead second-placed Olympique Lyon by six points, travel to Valencia on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
Brits on fire in the wet at Le Mans!
Wow - what a weekend for British Motorcycle racing!
by Luke Wilkins
22 May 2013 05:00 AM
iBet: Bale and Rooney transfer specials
The dust is barely settling on the Premier League season and the bookies are looking to persuade us ...
by Gareth Purnell
22 May 2013 02:01 AM
A changing of the guards in English football: From Sir Alex Ferguson to Jose Mourinho
The guard has changed at Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years. Meanwhile, down the road, the ...
by The Sports Lawyer
21 May 2013 10:01 PM
- 1 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Bloody attack brings terror to capital’s streets
- 2 Mothers' diets may harm IQs in two-thirds of babies
- 3 Far-right French historian, 78-year-old Dominique Venner, commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage
- 4 Eyewitness gives extraordinary account of her confrontation with Woolwich attackers
- 5 Woolwich attack: The EDL might have a sinister plan as a soldier is murdered in suspected Islamic terrorist attack
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’



Comments