Video: Joey Barton adopts French accent for press conference

IT’S BEING referred to as his ‘Allo ‘Allo moment, and had television presenters in stitches.

But there may be a more logical reason to Joey Barton’s decision to speak English with a heavy French accent - it might be because it’s the only way he can be understood.

The Marseille midfielder - who is on loan from English Premier League strugglers Queen’s Park Rangers - was born in Huyton on Merseyside, and his Scouse accent was clearly discernible beneath the Gallic tones.

The enigmatic footballer tweeted shortly after the press conference:

“In my defence, it is very difficult to do a press conference in Scouse for a room full of French journalists. The alternative is to speak like a [sic] ‘Allo Allo!’ character which is choose. [sic] Its simply a case of you had to be there.”

Language experts have suggested that it is perfectly normal for ex-pats to adopt the accent of their country of residence, and have put it down to Barton’s time spent in France whilst others have dismissed it as a mere wind-up.

Watch the video and decide for yourselves...