QPR midfielder Joey Barton has revealed a death threat he received while playing in France for Marseille.
The 32-year-old spent almost the entire 2012-13 season in Ligue 1 with the south-coast club, and has posted on Twitter a picture of a vitriolic letter sent to him during his stint across the Channel.
The typed and undated letter is addressed to Barton at Marseille's training ground, La Commanderie, and warns Barton to leave France at the end of the campaign or face a grisly end.
Barton jokingly refers to the letter, written in broken English, as "fan mail".
The letter reads:
"Mr Barton.
"A little friendly advice: as soon as you finish your season in your current club, I advice you to leave France immediatly.
"In fact, if you're not left France before June 1st, I will come to you specially Marseille smash your head shots baseball bat. And then I will finish and you'll die a knife open mouth once emptied your blood b*****d.
"Do you understand? You have until June 1st to leave France and return to your country m*****f******.
"Sincerely."
A name and address for the purported sender of the letter is also included on the letter, which is signed.
In showing the letter, Barton wrote on Twitter: "Found some old 'fan mail'. Amazing what some people consider 'A little friendly advice' these days...?"
He adds: "Not sure what's more offensive, the grammar or the intent?
"Considering a letter of reply simply saying, 'D'ue Wansum? Cos' if u du I'll give it yeh!'"
Barton also posted a Google Maps image of the Paris address given on the letter, writing next to the picture of a block of flats: "By the way his gaff looks nice..."
The one-cap England midfielder left France following his one season at Marseille and has returned to favour at QPR.
He had previously been marginalised following his conduct and dismissal in the final game of the 2011-12 season at Manchester City, where he was sent off and subsequently received a 12-match ban.
Source: PA
