Joey Barton: 'Carlos Tevez is a mercenary'

Marseille midfielder Joey Barton has branded Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez a "mercenary".

The 30-year-old clashed with the Argentine during Queens Park Rangers' 3-2 defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the Premier League season in 2011-12.

Barton elbowed Tevez in the face and was immediately shown the red card, but he proceeded to kick Sergio Aguero in the knee and attempted to head-butt Vincent Kompany.

"Tevez? He's a mercenary," he told The Times. "You can't really back him.

"Sure, I'm a hoodlum, I've got into scrapes - but Tevez is someone who in the last six months has gone on strike, gone off to Argentina to play golf, tried to get himself sacked.

"If that's not the epitome of what's wrong with modern players, I don't know what is. And don't forget, Tevez punched me first."

Barton, who joined Marseille from QPR on a season-long loan deal in the summer, was given a 12-match ban and fined £75,000 by the FA.