Trial date set for former footballer Joey Barton over malicious tweets charge

A trial date has been set for ex-footballer Joey Barton, who is accused of sending malicious communications to football pundit Eni Aluko.

Barton, 41, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday to a charge of conveying an indecent or offensive message, for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety, between January 3 and 8, in connection with posts on social media site X that he made about the former women’s footballer.

The former football manager, wearing a dark checked jacket with a shirt and tie, also spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.

Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC said a three-day trial would be held on May 19 next year.

He granted Barton bail, with a condition not to make any mention of Aluko on any social media.

The hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes, dealt with administrative matters ahead of the trial.

Barton tweeted after Aluko and Lucy Ward appeared as pundits for ITV for an FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton on January 4, allegedly comparing them to serial killers Fred and Rose West.

In a follow-up tweet, he compared Aluko to Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot, an earlier court hearing was told.

Aluko, who played for Chelsea and England, scored 33 international goals in 102 games before retiring in 2020 and establishing a broadcasting career.

Former Manchester City and Newcastle player Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, was sacked last October as League One Bristol Rovers’ manager after almost three years in charge, after a run of poor results.