Former Manchester City footballer Joey Barton charged with malicious communications

Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been charged with making malicious communications.

The ex-Manchester City player has been summoned to court following a police investigation.

He will face charges relating to posts on social media that were allegedly made from the 41-year-old's own account towards two victims.

In a statement on Tuesday, 17 December, Cheshire Police said: "A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications.

"The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised for Joseph Barton to be charged with two counts of malicious communications.

"The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications online between Wednesday 3 January and Wednesday 20 March, involving two victims."

The former footballer, who was born in Huyton, Merseyside, but now lives in Widnes, Cheshire, will appear at Magistrates Court at a later date.

Responding to the news on the social media platform X, Barton claimed the charges were "woke nonsense", before telling his 2.8 million followers "see you in court".

Barton made more than 400 professional appearances for clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United Queens Park Rangers, Marseille, and Burnley, winning one England cap.

He later managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.

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