Joey Barton has released a lengthy statement after being found guilty of six counts of sending "grossly offensive" social media posts.
The former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder, 43, was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court on November 7 over posts he made on X about football commentators Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, as well as broadcaster Jeremy Vine.
Barton compared Ward and Aluko to serial killer couple Fred and Rose West and went on to superimpose the faces of the two women onto a photograph of the serial murderers.
He also described former England international Aluko, 38, as being in the "Joseph Stalin/Pol Pot category", suggesting that she had "murdered hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of football fans' ears".
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After news panel show host Jeremy Vine defended the pair, Barton called him a slang term for a pedophile and said he would call the police if he saw him cycling near a primary school.
Jurors accepted the prosecution's argument that Barton, from Huyton in Merseyside, had "crossed the line between free speech and a crime".
Barton was found guilty of six charges relating to social media posts about Ward, Aluko and Vine, and not guilty of six. He is due to be sentenced on 8 December.
Joey Barton confirms he will step away from social media 'for the time being'
Taking to X on Thursday afternoon, Barton released a lengthy statement, as seen below.
"Over the past few years, a lot has happened. Professionally, personally and emotionally and it has reached a point where I need to pause and take proper stock of everything," he wrote.
"I’ve decided to step away from social media for the time being.
"This isn’t a decision I’ve taken lightly, but the intensity and pace of the online world, combined with my own pressures and mistakes, have had a real impact on my wellbeing and judgement. I need space to reflect honestly on that, to understand how I’ve handled things, and to improve how I communicate going forward.
"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."
He added: "See you on the other side."
Eni Aluko's statement after Joey Barton was found guilty
Aluko, who said she was "astounded" by the social media posts after previously exchanging "friendly" and "supportive" private messages with Barton, issued a statement on her social media account following the verdict on November 7.
She wrote: "Social media and specifically X is a cesspit where too many people feel they can say things under the guise of freedom of speech to others they wouldn't dream of saying in real life.
"The crown court guilty verdict today is a reminder that actions and words online do not come without real world and criminal consequences."
She added: "The posts directed at me, Lucy Ward and Jeremy Vine by Joey Barton were deeply distressing and had a real damaging impact on my life and career. I am glad that justice has been served."
Topics: Joey Barton
Jack Kenmare