The Fabien Barthez reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Fabien Barthez

Fabien Barthez, born 28 June 1971 in Lavelanet, France, is the current (as of 2004) goalkeeper for the French Ligue 1 football club Olympique de Marseille.

He made his first division debut on 21 September 1991, against Nancy. He joined Olympique Marseille and won the European Cup at the end of his first season in 1992.

On 26 May 1994, he won his first cap for France against Australia. He won the World Cup with France, conceding two goals in seven games in his home country in 1998. He also won the 2000 European Championship with France. He played on France's World Cup team again in 2002. However, France was knocked out in the first round.

In 1995, Barthez joined AS Monaco and won the French title in 1997 and 2000. He joined Manchester United for 7.8 million poundss in 2000. He won English Premier League championships with Man U in 2001 and 2003. 

Well known for being eccentric, he started out well for Manchester United. However, numerous blunders, including a notorious one against Deportivo La Coruña, has led to people making many jokes of him. In truth, he is a goalkeeper with great skills. Sir Alex Ferguson eventually decided, however, to replace him.

In October 2003, after American newcomer Tim Howard won the starting keeper's job from Barthez, Man U agreed that Barthez would join Olympique Marseille on loan. However, FIFA blocked the loan deal on the grounds that it was not agreed upon within the international transfer window. The two clubs agreed on a loan deal after the next transfer window opened on 1 January 2004, and Barthez joined Olympique Marseille soon afterwards.

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