Editing Fabien Barthez (section)

===Return to Marseille===
Barthez's poor form at the end of the previous season and the arrival of American newcomer [[Tim Howard]] in summer of 2003, saw the Frenchman face competition for a starting spot at United.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3061333.stm|title=Howard joins Man Utd|work=BBC Sport|date=15 July 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/jul/16/newsstory.sport4|title=American dream becomes reality for Howard|newspaper=The Guardian|author1=Dominic Fifield|date=16 July 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> As Barthez had only returned from international duty in August, Howard played during the club's American tour of the summer, and his performances led Ferguson to choose him to start over Barthez in the [[2003 FA Community Shield|Community Shield]] in August.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2409220/Howard-edges-out-Barthez.html|title=Howard edges out Barthez|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=10 August 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-10-18/france-duty-cost-barthez-united-place-fergie/1495446|title=France duty cost Barthez United place: Fergie|work=ABC News|date=17 October 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> By October, Howard had won the starting goalkeeper's job from Barthez; as a result, United agreed to release Barthez from his contract at Old Trafford after the [[2003–04 in English football|2003–04]] season, and also agreed to loan Barthez out to his former club Marseille for the remainder of that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2278921/ferguson-explains-barthez-move|title=Ferguson explains Barthez move|author1=Peter O'Rourke|work=Sky Sports |access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3177478.stm|title=Barthez in Marseille talks|work=BBC Sport|date=17 October 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> Barthez began training with Marseille, who took on a portion of his wages,<ref>{{cite news |title=Marseille reveal wage deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3212434.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=18 November 2003 |access-date=26 February 2021 }}</ref> but [[FIFA]] initially blocked the loan deal on the grounds that it was not agreed upon within the international [[transfer window]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/football/10/16/marseille.barthez/|title=Marseille warned over Barthez move|publisher=CNN|date=17 October 2003|access-date=16 January 2018|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117070331/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SPORT/football/10/16/marseille.barthez/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2424313/Barthez-hold-up-as-FIFA-block-move-to-Marseilles.html|title=Barthez hold-up as FIFA block move to Marseilles|newspaper=The Telegraph|author1=Charlie Norton|date=31 October 2003|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> The two clubs agreed on a loan deal after the transfer window reopened on 1 January 2004, and Barthez joined Marseille soon afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/football/01/02/marseille.barthez/index.html|title=Keeper Barthez finalizes loan deal|publisher=CNN|date=2 January 2004|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> On 27 April, Marseille and Barthez agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract which would keep him at the club until spring 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3581391.stm|title=Marseille sign Barthez|work=BBC Sport|date=28 April 2004|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>

Barthez was involved in a controversy during a friendly match between Marseille and [[Morocco]]'s [[Wydad Casablanca]] on 12 February 2005.<ref>{{cite web|first=Philippe |last=Da Costa |url=http://www.eurosport.fr/football/story_sto979136.shtml |title=Barthez, l'atypique |work=Eurosport.fr |publisher=Eurosport |date=6 October 2006 |access-date=28 April 2011 }}</ref> With ten minutes left, a Marseille player was [[Misconduct (football)|sent off]] and a brawl erupted between players on the pitch. Barthez was reported for spitting on the Moroccan [[Referee (association football)|referee]]. On 21 April, Barthez was summoned to a hearing before the disciplinary committee of the [[French Football Federation]] (FFF); the following day, he received a six-month suspension, with the last three months being suspended. In an unusual move, the federal council of the FFF appealed the suspension, arguing that the punishment should have been for a minimum of six full months. Eventually, his suspension was extended to six full months due to political pressures.<ref name="grado zero"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=297455.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122060423/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=297455.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 January 2018|title=Barthez banned for spitting at ref|website=[[UEFA]]|date=22 April 2005|access-date=16 January 2018}}</ref>