Elie Baup: 'Joey Barton still important to Marseille'

Marseille coach Elie Baup has insisted that controversial midfielder Joey Barton remains a key member of his squad despite the recent Twitter row with Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thiago Silva.

Barton has since issued an apology for his "transsexual" jibes at Silva and Baup has said that Barton's off-field actions are not his concern.

"Barton holds an important place in the team," BBC Sport quotes Baup as saying.

"I make decisions in the game - for example, that he did not start against Nice [last weekend]. That is my responsibility. Beyond that, it does not concern me."

Marseille host Bordeaux on Friday night in Ligue 1.