Former footballer Joey Barton is due to face trial next year, charged with a malicious communications offence.
The 41 year old, originally from Huyton, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court this morning to answer the charge related to posts aimed at football pundit and former England international Eni Aluko on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
The charge pertains to tweets posted in January this year, when retired women's footballer Aluko and Lucy Ward were appearing as pundits on ITV's coverage of an FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton. Barton allegedly compared them to notorious serial killers Fred and Rose West.
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A subsequent post from Barton was said to have likened Aluko to dictators Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot.
Barton, dressed in a black suit, black shirt and black tie, and sporting dark hair and glasses, confirmed his name and date of birth before pleading not guilty during the nine-minute hearing.
A provisional three-day trial has been set for the week commencing May 19, 2025. Barton, who was represented by Simon Csoka KC and gave an address in Widnes to the court, was released on bail until this date by Judge Andrew Menary KC, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool.
His bail conditions stipulate that he is "prohibited from making any mention of Eni Aluko on social media, directly or indirectly or by inference".
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In court, the judge addressed Mr Barton firmly, stating, "Mr Barton, I am going to adjourn this matter for trial. Your trial will take place in the week beginning on the 19th of May next year. On that basis, I will renew your bail on the same terms as before. On that basis, you are now free to go."
Following his time on the pitch, where he racked up more than 400 professional appearances at clubs such as Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Queens Park Rangers, Barton took on management roles with Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.
Ms Aluko has had an illustrious playing career across England, America, and Italy, which she followed up by becoming a television pundit.
