Ex-footballer Joey Barton has been charged over malicious online communications.
The former Manchester City and Burnley participant will seem in court docket subsequent week, Cheshire Police mentioned on Monday.
The prices relate to stories of allegedly malicious messages despatched between 1 and 18 January.
In a submit on X, Mr Barton, 41, mentioned he had been charged over tweets regarding broadcaster Eni Aluko.
Following an investigation, police mentioned the 41-year-old will seem at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on 30 July.
In a press release, the drive mentioned: “A person from Widnes has been summoned to court docket to face prices 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 on Tuesday 30 July.
“The prices relate to stories of alleged malicious communications online, 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 vast nice.
Mr Barton tweeted to his 2.8 million followers on Sunday: “I’m up subsequent month…for ‘malicious communications’ cost at Warrington Mag (sic) for Eni Aluko tweets.
“Crazy instances we’re residing in. Haven’t the police received sufficient on their arms? British system is turning 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.”
Ms Aluko, whose full identify is Eniolo Aluko, is a Nigerian-born former skilled footballer. The 37-year-old performed for Chelsea and England, scoring 33 worldwide targets in 102 video games earlier than retiring in 2020 and establishing a broadcasting profession. She now works as a soccer commentator for tv networks within the UK and overseas.
Mr Barton, who’s initially from Huyton, Merseyside, started his skilled soccer profession with Manchester City in 2002. The former midfielder performed for Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers in addition to a spell on mortgage at Marseille earlier than ending up at Burnley in 2017. He then went on to handle Fleetwood Town in 2018 and Bristol Rovers in 2023. He was sacked final October after virtually three years in cost, following a run of poor outcomes.
