Joey Barton, the former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder, has been charged with sending malicious online communications. The charge pertains to comments Barton made while criticizing football pundit Eni Aluko during her commentary on an FA Cup match broadcast by the BBC in January.
Barton, who is currently the manager of Bristol Rovers, will appear before Warrington Magistrates’ Court next week after the Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charge.
“A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications,” a Cheshire Police statement said on Monday. “Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has since authorized the charges for Joseph Barton. The 41-year-old will appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 30.”
The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications online between January 1 and January 18. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of up to two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Barton, who has 2.8 million followers on social media, is known for his contentious tweets on various issues. Responding to the charge, the retired England international tweeted, “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 the England women’s team before retiring in 2020 and establishing a broadcasting career.
Barton was sacked last October as Bristol Rovers manager after almost three years in charge, following a run of poor results.