Former footballer Joey Barton has been charged with making malicious communications.
The ex-Manchester City, Burnley, and Rangers player is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
Barton, 41, revealed on his X account that the charges are related to tweets concerning broadcaster and former footballer Eniola Aluko.
Cheshire Police stated that the charges involve messages sent between January 1 and January 18.
A police spokesman confirmed that a man from Widnes has been “summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications,” with the Crown Prosecution Service authorizing the charges against Joseph Barton.
The former footballer is set to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on July 30.
Aluko, a three-time Women’s Super League champion with Chelsea, Serie A winner with Juventus, and a former England international with 33 goals in 102 appearances, retired in 2020 to pursue a broadcasting career.
She has been involved with ITV’s coverage of the recent Euros and frequently commentates on major men’s and women’s matches across various networks.
Barton’s playing career spanned from 2002 at Manchester City to 2017 at Burnley, including stints at Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, and Marseille. He earned one England cap.
After retiring as a player, Barton managed Fleetwood Town in 2018 and took charge of Bristol Rovers in 2021. He left Rovers in 2023 and has not resumed a managerial role since.