Je ne comprends pas! Joey Barton's 'overweight ladyboy' tweet lost in translation

On-loan QPR midfielder escapes punishment for Twitter attack on Thiago Silva

Joey Barton and Thiago Silva (GETTY IMAGES)

Joey Barton appears to have escaped action over his Twitter attack on Thiago Silva, with the French authorities having problems translating his tweets.

The on-loan QPR midfielder, who is playing for Marseille, called the Paris Saint-Germain defender an 'overweight ladyboy' on the social networking site.

He was reprimanded for his comments by Marseille and called to a hearing by the French Football Federation's ethics council.

However, yesterday's meeting broke up with no ruling made on the case, with a major reason for the non-judgement understood to be issues in translating Barton's statements into French.

"The council has not been able to judge this case," CNE president Laurent Davenas said in comments reported by L'Equipe. "There could be problems interpreting statements made in English.

"Furthermore, we have not received any conclusions made by lawyers on Friday night at the FFF. The members of the commission did not have sufficient time."

"This case also raises particular legal issues. Is Twitter a space for public communication?"

Barton is hopeful of agreeing a permanent deal to remain in France, however claims by the former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder that a deal is already in place with QPR have been denied.