The former footballer and manager Joey Barton has been charged with making malicious communications, police have said.
The ex-Manchester City and Newcastle player is due to appear at Warrington magistrates court next week after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge, Cheshire police said.
On his X account, Barton, 41, said he had been charged over tweets relating to the football pundit Eni Aluko. The tweets are believed to have been posted during Aluko’s commentary on an FA Cup match broadcast by the BBC in January.
In a statement on its website, Cheshire police said: “A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications.
“Following an investigation by Cheshire police, the Crown Prosecution Service has since authorised the charges for Joseph Barton. The 41-year-old will appear at Warrington magistrates court on Tuesday 30 July.
“The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications online, between Monday 1 January and Thursday 18 January.”
If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
On Sunday, Barton tweeted to his 2.8 million followers: “I’m up next month … for ‘malicious communications’ charge at Warrington Mag (sic) for Eni Aluko tweets.
“Crazy times we’re living in. Haven’t the police got enough on their hands? British system is becoming a Banana Republic. Lawfare used against its own citizens for having a dissenting voice. Not quite North Korea yet but won’t be long. Viva La Revolution.”
Aluko, a 37-year-old Nigerian-born former footballer for Chelsea and England, scored 33 international goals in 102 games before retiring in 2020 and establishing a broadcasting career.
Barton was sacked last October as manager of the League One side Bristol Rovers after almost three years in charge, following a run of poor results.