Olympique Marseille have appealed against FIFA's refusal to allow the loan of French international goalkeeper Fabien Barthez from Manchester United, the club said on its website on Friday.

FIFA disallowed the much-publicised move after deciding they could not make an exception by allowing a player to move outside the transfer window which reopens in January.

"Olympique Marseille have decided to appeal to FIFA's executive committee after the decision to reject the qualification of Fabien Barthez by the players committee revealed by the media on Friday", Marseille said in a statement.

The appeal has been handed to the French Soccer Federation (FFF) who will in turn pass it over to FIFA.

Marseille said that as a result, Barthez, who has not played a match for United this season, would remain in Marseille and train with the squad pending a decision on the appeal.

"After considering returning to England, Fabien Barthez, in full agreement with Manchester United and Olympique Marseille, will continue to train with the Marseille squad until a decision is made on the appeal," Marseille said.

Marseille had asked permission to sign Barthez because their second-choice goalkeeper Cedric Carasso injured his knee in a charity match earlier this month and will be out for the rest of the season.