JOEY BARTON flashed his middle finger at Tottenham fans after taking a seat in the Marseille away end for Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
The Bristol Rovers boss met up with supporters of the French club in a pub before the game.
He then walked to the stadium with them and gave Spurs fans the middle finger as he got right in the thick of the action inside the ground.
Barton, 40, played for Marseille on loan in 2012-13 and has a close affection for the team.
And it seems that feeling is reciprocated by the Marseille fanbase as they still hold him in high esteem.
A crowd of Marseille fans erupted into song when Barton walked into a Tottenham pub ahead of their game.
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The boisterous crowd sang Barton’s name and the former midfielder was happy to pose for photos.
Barton was given an even bigger reception inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wearing a Marseille T-shirt he appeared to be gifted.
The Bristol Rovers boss looked humbled as he soaked up the adoration from nearby fans and he gestured his thanks to the crowd.
Barton began fist pumping and then applauded the travelling supporters for their efforts as they were in fine voice.
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Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers’ social media team reacted to footage of Barton circling Twitter by saying: “G…gaffer?”
Football fans were impressed with Barton’s dedication to his former side with one supporter writing: “Quality.”
Another commented: “What a guy, love him me😂.”
And a third said: “Quality this lad Marseille ultra.”
Unfortunately for Barton, he couldn’t roar his former team on to victory as a Richarlison brace condemned them to a 2-0 defeat.
The game was marred by ugly clashes between fans inside the stadium.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
