Former Footballer Joey Barton Charged with Malicious Communications Towards Eni Aluko

Former England and Manchester City star Joey Barton has been charged with alleged ‘malicious communications’ towards pundit and former Nigerian-British footballer Eni Aluko.

The charges stem from a series of derogatory comments Barton made online earlier this year.

In January, Barton compared Aluko and fellow pundit Lucy Ward to the infamous serial killers Fred and Rose West. The comments came after Aluko and Ward provided commentary for Crystal Palace’s FA Cup draw with Everton.

Barton wrote, “How is she even talking about men’s football? She can’t even kick a ball properly. Your coverage of the game EFC last night took it to a new low. Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary.”

Following these comments, Aluko accused Barton of subjecting her to one of the worst cases of social media abuse she had ever experienced. Barton escalated his criticism by further attacking Aluko, stating she was “clearly in the Joseph Stalin category” for “murdering hundreds of thousands of fans’ ears.”

After a thorough investigation by Cheshire Police, Barton has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications.

According to a statement by Cheshire Police, “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.”

In response to the charges, Barton expressed his disbelief on the microblogging platform X, writing, “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.”