5 Apr 2013

Barton to appear at hearing following tweets

11:30 am on 5 April 2013

The Marseille midfielder Joey Barton has been ordered to appear at a disciplinary hearing later this month after insults on Twitter directed at Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva caused a storm.

Paris Foot Gay, an amateur club with a large number of gay players who campaign against homophobia in football and society as a whole, complained to France's Professional Football League after Barton called Brazil defender Silva a "pussy" and "a overweight ladyboy" on Twitter.

The matter has since been passed on to the Conseil National de l'Ethique (CNE), who have the power to hand the Englishman a suspension for remarks that have been taken very seriously in France.

PSG has issued a statement describing Barton's words as "unacceptable".

The controversial Barton's loan deal expires in the summer and no talks have yet taken place to extend his stay.