Joey Barton charged over 'malicious communications'

Former footballer Joey Barton has been charged over alleged “malicious communications“.

The 41-year-old, who previously played for Rangers, is due to appear in court later this month after an investigation by Cheshire Police.

Barton posted on X that he had been charged over his tweets about Eni Aluko, a former England footballer and pundit.

Officers said the charges concerned messages sent between Monday, January 1 and Thursday, January 18, 2024.

He will appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 30.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications.

“Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has since authorised the charges for Joseph Barton.”

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