Ex-player, manager Barton convicted over offensive social media posts
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
LONDON :Former British soccer player and coach Joey Barton was convicted on Friday of six counts of sending offensive social media posts to two ex-players and a broadcaster, though he was cleared of six more charges.
Barton, 43, was charged over X posts sent to former England international Eni Aluko, former player-turned-pundit Lucy Ward and BBC presenter Jeremy Vine in early 2024.
Prosecutors said the messages sent by Barton, who played for clubs including Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers and managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers, "crossed the line between free speech and a crime".
Barton had previously made several appearances in court, having been convicted earlier this year of assaulting his wife and in 2024 ordered to pay damages to Vine after a separate civil libel lawsuit.
He argued his posts were provocative or meant to be "banter", and not intended to cause distress or anxiety.
After a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Barton was convicted of six counts but cleared of six other charges. He is expected to be sentenced next month.
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app