Joey Barton charged with making malicious online communications | UK news

The previous footballer and supervisor Joey Barton has been charged with making malicious communications, police have stated.

The ex-Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle participant is because of seem at Warrington magistrates court docket subsequent week after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the cost, Cheshire police stated.

On his X account, Barton, 41, stated he had been charged over tweets regarding the soccer pundit Eni Aluko. The tweets are believed to have been posted throughout Aluko’s commentary on an FA Cup match broadcast by the BBC in January.

In a press release on its web site, Cheshire police stated: “A person from Widnes has been summoned to court docket to face expenses of malicious communications.

“Following an investigation by Cheshire police, the Crown Prosecution Service has since authorised the costs for Joseph Barton. The 41-year-old will seem at Warrington magistrates court docket on Tuesday 30 July.

“The costs relate to experiences of alleged malicious communications on-line, between Monday 1 January and Thursday 18 January.”

If convicted, the offence carries a most penalty of as much as two years’ imprisonment and/or a limiteless high quality.

On Sunday, Barton tweeted to his 2.8 million followers: “I’m up subsequent month … for ‘malicious communications’ cost at Warrington Magazine (sic) for Eni Aluko tweets.

“Loopy instances we’re dwelling in. Haven’t the police acquired sufficient on their arms? British system is changing into a Banana Republic. Lawfare used in opposition to its personal residents for having a dissenting voice. Not fairly North Korea but however gained’t be lengthy. Viva La Revolution.”

Aluko, a 37-year-old Nigerian-born former footballer for Chelsea and England, scored 33 worldwide targets in 102 video games earlier than retiring in 2020 and establishing a broadcasting profession.

Barton was sacked final October as supervisor of the League One facet Bristol Rovers after virtually three years in cost, following a run of poor outcomes.