Joey Barton Charged for Tweets About Football Pundit

Ex-footballer Joey Barton has been charged with sending malicious communications online, according to police reports.

Barton, 41, is set to appear before Warrington Magistrates’ Court next week. The Crown Prosecution Service has given the green light for the charges, Cheshire Police confirmed.

The charges are believed to be connected to comments Barton made about football pundit Eni Aluko during her commentary on an FA Cup match aired by the BBC in January.

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

If Barton is convicted, the offense could result in up to two years of imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Barton, a former Premier League player for Manchester City and Newcastle, tweeted to his 2.8 million followers, “I’m up next month… for ‘malicious communications’ charge at Warrington Mag (sic) 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. Not quite North Korea yet but won’t be long. Viva La Revolution.”

Eni Aluko played for Chelsea and England, scoring 33 international goals in 102 games before retiring in 2020 and launching a successful broadcasting career.

Barton was dismissed last October as the manager of League One’s Bristol Rovers, following a series of poor results, marking the end of his nearly three-year tenure.