Joey Barton charged with malicious communications – Court date set


 
 
 
 
 
 

Joey Barton has been charged with making alleged malicious communications.

The former Newcastle United and England midfielder is set to appear in court on 30 July following an investigation by Cheshire Police.

The Athletic reporting that Joey Barton has been charged with alleged malicious communications towards Eni Aluko.

This relates to what happened earlier this year in January 2024.

The Athletic report – 22 July 2024:

Aluko, a 37-year-old former England international, was the subject of comments on Barton’s X account after she appeared as a pundit during ITV’s FA Cup coverage in January.

“A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications,” a Cheshire Police statement read.

“Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has since authorised the charges for Joseph Barton. The 41-year-old will appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 30 July.

“The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications online, between Monday 1 January and Thursday 18 January.”

In response to the charges, Barton wrote on X: “I’m up next month for ‘malicious communications’ charge at Warrington Mag for Eni Aluko tweets.

“Crazy times we’re living in. Haven’t the Police got enough on their hands?

“British system is becoming a Banana Republic. Lawfare used against its own citizens for having a dissenting voice.”

There have been a number of comments on Barton’s X account since December targeting women working in football. In January, a post appeared on his account comparing Aluko and fellow pundit Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West.

Aluko had been working as an ITV pundit during the FA Cup third-round tie between Crystal Palace and Everton, while Ward, a 50-year-old former striker and academy welfare officer at Leeds United, was on co-commentary duty.