Joey Barton, the former footballer, is set to face a three-day trial beginning May 19, 2025, after pleading not guilty to charges of sending malicious communications to football pundit Eni Aluko. The accusations stem from tweets posted in January 2024, where he allegedly compared Aluko and Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West, as well as likening Aluko to dictators Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot. The hearings took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where Barton confirmed his identity and was granted bail with conditions prohibiting him from mentioning Aluko on social media. His defense argues that the tweets were public and not intended as private messages, raising questions about their indecency and intent. Following a series of poor results, Barton was dismissed from his managerial position at Bristol Rovers in October 2023. Aluko, a former England international, has transitioned to a career in broadcasting after retiring from football in 2020.