Tony Fernandes: 'Joey Barton can't decide where he plays'

Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes has appeared to hit back at Joey Barton by claiming that he is not in control of his own future because he remains under contract at Loftus Road.

The 30-year-old, who has been on loan at Marseille for the season, took to Twitter yesterday to claim that he has no intention of returning to West London.

The former Newcastle United midfielder revealed that he already has an agreement to remain at the Ligue 1 club, stating that QPR do not have a say in the matter, but Fernandes has claimed otherwise.

The club owner wrote on Twitter: "For the record QPR players under contract cannot decide where they play. They are under CONTRACT."

Barton was sent to Marseille on loan after he picked up a 12-match ban for getting sent off on the final day of last season against Manchester City.