Former football player Joey Barton is facing charges related to ‘malicious communications’ directed at former England player and pundit Eniola Aluko, according to Sky Sports.
Following a Cheshire Police investigation, Barton is scheduled to appear in court on July 30. The accusations are related to a string of derogatory tweets that Barton targeted at Aluko and colleague pundit Lucy Ward.
Joey Barton’s attacks on ex-Super Eagles star’s sister
In January, Barton likened Aluko and Ward to notorious serial killers Fred and Rose West.
“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,” he wrote.
This comment, referencing the Wests’ horrific crimes of murdering 12 women and young girls over two decades, sparked outrage. Barton then went on to make more offensive remarks, comparing Aluko to Joseph Stalin and saying that she was “murdering hundreds of thousands of fans’ ears.”
Eniola Aluko on Barton’s comments
Eniola Aluko is the sister of former Super Eagles player Sone Aluko, who recently landed a role in the technical crew of newly-promoted Premier League club Ipswich Town, according to previous reports from Sports Buddy.
She called Barton’s remarks one of the worst instances of harassment she has ever encountered on social media, despite being used to internet harassment.
The 37-year-old TV presenter stressed the impact of Barton’s comments because of his large social media following.
“I can only describe it as waves caving in on you,” Aluko told BBC Breakfast in February. “The nature of Joey Barton’s tweets were consecutive over the course of a week. There were several tweets, he continued to double-down even after ITV came out in mine and Lucy Ward’s defence.”
Despite the charges, Barton maintains his innocence and asserts that the allegations brought against him are signs of a failed legal system.
