Marseille midfielder Joey Barton has threatened to sue the Daily Mail after an article was published appearing to accuse the player of being gay.
The 30-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at the Ligue 1 side from Queens Park Rangers, has blasted the paper for "shoddy journalism" after it seemed to encourage Barton to be football's 'gay hero'.
Barton tweeted: "I see Jim Royles giving it beans about my sexuality in the Daily Mail. Like thats anything to do with him. Can he say what he's said? Sounds slightly bigoted and homophobic to me. Any legal-eagles out there know if he can get away with this?
"My sexuality is of no concern to anyone except me and my family. Can't see the missus being happy about this piece. Nor, would I like my child (when old enough) to read this tripe. Shoddy journalism.
"I will probably have to sue. I don't really need the money or the hassle. So I offer this as a olive branch. Actually, no. Theres no olive branch. Enough's enough."
Meanwhile, Barton recently insisted that he intends to remain in France once his loan comes to an end.
