Olympique Marseille coach Elie Baup is backing Joey Barton after his latest Twitter controversy.

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

Baup said: "What is important to me is the communication from the club. Barton holds an important place in the team and I make decisions in the game - for example, that he (Barton) did not start against Nice (last weekend). That is my responsibility. Beyond that, it does not concern me."

He added: "I am the coach of OM and I have to intervene (only) on larger matters. The communication of individual players is their own responsibility. I have a boss and a direction."