Ex-Premier League Midfielder Sentenced to Six Months Suspended for 18 Months After Jury Deems Posts Crossed into Criminal Territory.

Joey Barton

Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton avoided immediate imprisonment on Monday, receiving a six-month suspended sentence for 18 months at Liverpool Crown Court over grossly offensive social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) aimed at broadcaster Jeremy Vine and pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko, following a jury’s verdict last month that his comments “crossed the line between free speech and a crime.”

Court Verdict: Superimposed Image and Diversity Hire Jab Deemed Offensive

The trial centered on six posts from January 2024, sparked by a televised FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton. Barton, 43, drew parallels between the female commentators Ward and Aluko and infamous serial killers Fred and Rose West, superimposing their faces onto a photo of the murderers—a move jurors ruled “grossly offensive,” though they acquitted on the direct analogy.

He further labeled Aluko, a former England women’s international, in the “Joseph Stalin/Pol Pot category” for allegedly “murder[ing] hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of football fans’ ears.” While cleared on the dictator comparison, Barton was convicted on a separate post implying Aluko—who is Black—was a “diversity hire,” using derogatory language.

Attacks on Vine: Pedophile Slur and Epstein Link

Barton‘s ire extended to Vine, a TV and radio presenter, after the broadcaster messaged him questioning if he had a “brain injury.” The ex-player retaliated with a post using an offensive term suggesting Vine had a sexual interest in children, and another implying ties to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein—both deemed grossly offensive by the jury.

Barton, boasting 2.6 million X followers, was acquitted on six other counts of sending communications intended to cause distress or anxiety between January and March 2024.

Barton’s Defense: “Political Prosecution” and No Clickbait Intent

During testimony, Barton portrayed himself as the victim of a “political prosecution,” insisting his posts weren’t designed “to get clicks and promote himself.” The Newcastle and Manchester City alum, whose career included stints at QPR and Burnley, has a history of controversial online rants, but maintained his right to free speech.

Judge Menary‘s Ruling: Suspended Custody Amid Broader Acquittals

Presiding Judge Andrew Menary imposed the suspended sentence, opting against jail time despite the convictions. Barton must adhere to conditions during the 18-month period, or face activation of the six months behind bars.

This outcome caps a saga that spotlighted the blurred boundaries of social media discourse in football, with Barton‘s high-profile status amplifying the debate on accountability for public figures. As he navigates potential appeals or further scrutiny, the case serves as a stark reminder: Even ex-pros aren’t immune to the law’s reach online.