Joey Barton charged over social media posts


Former professional footballer Joey Barton is set to appear in court after being charged in connection with allegations involving social media posts. The 41-year-old has been hit with two counts of sending malicious communications relating to a BBC presenter and a former England footballer. These accusations have been levelled against Mr Barton by Cheshire Police, who have welcomed the decision by prosecutors to pursue the case.

Originally from Huyton, Merseyside, Mr Barton has gone on to live in Widnes, Cheshire. The court date for these charges has not yet been confirmed. Prior to his switch to management, the midfielder had appeared for a variety of different clubs throughout his career. These include Manchester City, Rangers, Burnley, Queens Park Rangers, and Newcastle United.

Following his retirement from playing football, Mr Barton moved into management. However, his most recent role as manager of Bristol Rovers came to a sudden halt in October 2023 when he was fired from the position after close to three years at the helm.

These charges will be highly scrutinised by the media and fans of the sport alike, given Mr Barton’s continued high profile. The accusations are sure to impact on his burgeoning career in punditry, while also raising serious questions about the use of social media involved in modern-day sports personalities.

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