Barton pays tribute to PSG

Marseille midfielder Joey Barton has described Paris Saint-Germain’s performance against Barcelona as a great advert for Ligue 1.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were narrowly beaten on away goals after their 1-1 draw at Camp Nou on Wednesday, having drawn the first leg 2-2, and Barton believes they deserve recognition for their impressive showing in the quarter-final.

“Gallant effort from PSG. Unbeaten in two games against Barca. Unlucky to go out. Great advert for French league,” he wrote on his personal Twitter account.

The positive comments come just days before Barton is due to face the FFF ethics committee after derogatory remarks he posted about PSG defender Thiago Silva.

Pedro’s second-half strike earned Barcelona’s passage to their sixth-straight Champions League semi-final after Javier Pastore had given PSG the lead.

Tito Vilanova’s men go into Friday morning’s draw along with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.