Former footballer Joey Barton has been given a suspended prison sentence for offensive social media posts targeting broadcasters.

In the posts published via X in early 2024, Barton repeatedly referred to ITV presenter Jeremy Vine as a ‘bike n**ce’ and claimed football pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward were: ‘the Fred and Rose West of football commentary”. 

Earlier today at Liverpool Crown Court, Barton received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation order. He was also ordered to pay £23,000 in costs and given two-year restraining orders preventing contact with any of the victims. 

In addition to the criminal proceedings, Vine pursued a separate civil lawsuit against Barton in the High Court. Barton apologised for his remarks and agreed to pay £110,000 in damages, along with a further £200,000 in costs. 

Judge Andrew Menary said Barton’s conduct went beyond the boundaries of free speech and noted that the former midfielder’s large social media following had amplified the harm caused. 

In court, Barton claimed the posts were “crude banter” and “jokes that got out of hand,” denying that he intended them to be malicious or cause distress. 

Regarded during his playing days as a tough and combative midfielder, Barton’s career from 2002 to 2017 was frequently overshadowed by disciplinary issues. He earned one senior England cap but was repeatedly involved in controversy both on and off the pitch.

In 2008, Barton received two separate prison sentences for assault-related offences and served a total of 74 days in custody. The Football Association also charged him with violent conduct on three occasions between 2007 and 2012. 

It remains unclear whether Barton intends to appeal.