‘Line Between Free Speech And Crime’! Former Premier League Star Found Guilty Of Six Counts Of… | Sports News

Last Updated:November 08, 2025, 00:31 IST

Barton was convicted of sending offensive social media posts to former players Eni Aluko, Lucy Ward and BBC presenter Jeremy Vine in early 2024.

Joey Barton. (X)

A jury at the Liverpool Crown Court found former Premier League star Joey Barton guilty on six counts of sending offensive social media posts 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 the 43-year-old Englishman, who has represented Manchester City and Newcastle among other clubs, crossed the line between free speech and a crime.

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The former Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers manager, who was also cleared of six other charges, is excepted to be sentenced next month.

Barton had previously faced several court appearances, having been convicted earlier this year for assaulting his wife, and in 2024, he was ordered to pay damages to Vine following a separate civil libel lawsuit.

He argued that his posts were provocative or meant to be banter, and not intended to cause distress or anxiety.

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The Merseyside-born Barton had youth stints with Everton and Liverpool before moving to Manchester City, where he made his senior debut for the Mancunian club in the year 2002.

The midfielder made 130 appearances for Man City before swapping the blue kit for the famous Newcastle United black and white in 2007. He played for the magpies till 2011 before moving to Queens Park Rangers. He went on loan to Marseille in 2012 before returning to England with Burnley in 2013. He had a brief spell with Rangers before re-signing for Burnley in 2017. He served as the manager of Fleetwood Town between 2018-2021 and the gaffer of Bristol Rovers from 2021 to 2023.

Barton is no stranger to controversy, criminal investigations or convictions and has been taken into custody on multiple occasions for assault among other things.

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