Barton still in Marseille plans despite Twitter rant

Marseille coach Elie Baup says Joey Barton remains a key member of his squad despite the midfielder having angered club chiefs by labelling Paris St Germain defender Thiago Silva an “overweight ladyboy” in an online tirade.

The Englishman, on loan from QPR, was last night ordered by OM officials to cease his attack on the Brazilian, which was also condemned by PSG and a prominent anti-homophobia group based in the French capital.