Joey Barton has chosen to withdraw from social media following his recent conviction on six counts of sending ‘grossly offensive’ messages on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The 43-year-old Barton was found guilty of sending offensively inappropriate communications to female football analysts Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, along with four offensive messages directed at broadcaster Jeremy Vine. This verdict was delivered in a trial held at Liverpool Crown Court last Friday.

The former Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers, and Newcastle United midfielder is slated for sentencing on December 8. Judge Andrew Menary has indicated that all sentencing possibilities remain on the table.

Barton issued a statement expressing his decision: “Over the last few years, I have experienced a lot of changes professionally, personally, and emotionally. I’ve reached a point where I need to pause and reassess everything. As such, I’ve decided to step back from social media for now.”

He continued, “This wasn’t an easy decision, but the relentless pace and pressure of the online world, coupled with my own stresses and missteps, have significantly affected my well-being and decision-making. I need some distance to honestly reflect on these issues, to understand my past actions, and to improve my future communication.”

Ex-footballer Joey Barton has announced he is stepping away from social media just days after being found guilty of six counts of sending ‘grossly offensive’ posts on X, formerly Twitter

Barton was found guilty of posting six ‘grossly offensive’ tweets about women football commentators Lucy Ward (right) and Eni Aluko and also broadcaster Jeremy Vine (left)

‘With the move to a new studio underway, this feels like the right moment to reset, reassess my priorities, and think carefully about how I want to use my profile in the future in a way that’s constructive, responsible, and true to the values I want to stand for.

‘While I’m taking this break, my accounts will be maintained solely by the admin team. I won’t be posting personally until I feel I’m in the right place to come back. @Common_SensePod

‘Thank you to everyone who has supported me, challenged me, and stuck with me. I’m taking this time because I want to return better, clearer, and more grounded. See you on the other side.’

Barton, who was wearing a Union Jack-style scarf in the dock last week, was granted bail on condition that he did not contact or talk about the three complainants. 

The judge also said: ‘He has chosen to adorn himself with a particular flag which I suppose is a stunt to make a point. He will not be permitted to wear it when you come back to court.’

The trial had heard that Barton, 43, had targeted TV football commentators Aluko and Ward and broadcaster Vine with the messages which were designed at causing anxiety and distress. 

Aluko has since claimed her punditry work dried up as a consequence of the social media attacks by Barton, following his conviction last Friday. 

Following a televised FA Cup tie between Crystal Palace and Everton in January 2024, Barton likened Ward and Aluko in a post on X to the ‘Fred and Rose West of football commentary’.

Barton was told he will not be able to wear a Union Jack-coloured scarf to his sentencing

Aluko has since claimed her punditry work dried up as a consequence of the attacks by Barton

He was found not guilty of comparing Ward and Aluko to Fred and Rose West but guilty of superimposing the killers’ faces on to the two women on an X feed. 

Prosecutor Peter Wright, KC, said that Barton had previous convictions and that the sentence hearing would be heard with victim impact statements from the complainants.

He also said the prosecution would be inviting the judge to consider whether the offences concerning Aluko were racially motivated. 

Senior Crown Prosecutor Callum Bryce of CPS Mersey-Cheshire said: ‘Between early January and mid-March 2024, Mr Barton subjected three public figures to offences of malicious communications.

‘Mr Barton said in his evidence before the court that in some of his messages he was trying to make a serious point in a provocative way and that in others he was simply joking.

‘The finding of the jury confirmed that his conduct had gone beyond any joke and his messages were grossly offensive with the purpose of causing anxiety and distress to his victims.’ 

Aluko celebrated the ‘honour’ of being inducted into football’s Hall of Fame on Wednesday, less than 24 hours before Barton’s announcement on social media.

The former England international spoke with relief about how important it is to look ahead to ‘good news around the corner’. 

Aluko was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum on Wednesday

She thanked fellow broadcaster Vine for his support during the ‘difficult chapter’ on Instagram

‘I feel great, I feel a sense of relief that difficult chapter is all over,’ Aluko told PA at Wednesday’s induction. ‘I have always been very clear about making sure there are consequences for that type of conduct online, because it is bullying.

‘It was never going to be something I tolerated. I am very proud of being able to stand up to that and show that’s not something we are going to tolerate in the UK and in society.

‘There is always good news round the corner and to come out of that last week, a difficult week that ended well, and to be here now being recognised, I am very happy and very pleased,’ she said.

‘It shows you will go through things in life that are difficult but it shapes you. You come out the other end of it and people recognise you for how you stood up and how you stood by your principles and values.’

‘I feel honoured. It’s a big recognition for the journey and I just want to keep doing the honour justice.’