'I personally felt crippled ... for about a week I just couldn't leave my house'

FOOTBALL STAR TURNED TV PUNDIT ENI ALUKO TELLS COURT HOW SHOCKED SHE WAS BY JOEY BARTON SLUR

- JAMES CARTLEDGE News Reporter

FORMER Birmingham City footballer Eni Aluko was "astounded" by a social media post from Joey Barton comparing her to serial killers Fred and Rose West, a court heard.

The ex-player, who is now a TV pundit, said it came after the pair had previously exchanged "friendly, supportive" private messages.

Ex-Manchester City and Newcastle United player Barton is alleged to have "crossed the line between free speech and a crime" with messages on X, formerly Twitter, about Ms Aluko, who grew up in Birmingham and later worked for Aston Villa, football co-commentator Lucy Ward and broadcaster Jeremy Vine.

In January 2024, Barton - who has 2.7 million followers on X - likened Ms Aluko and Ms Ward to the "Fred and Rose West of football commentary" after a televised FA Cup tie between Crystal Palace and Everton.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Ms Aluko, a former England women's international footballer who also played for Chelsea and Juventus, had swapped messages with Barton for several years.

Barton had praised her "courage" in taking the Football Association (FA) to task over its handling of complaints she made against a former boss, which Ms Aluko said she had welcomed, writing: "Bless you Joey, thank you so much for the message."

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Ms Aluko said: "I was surprised because I had never met Joey Barton in person before. I was genuinely appreciative of his support. Between 2017 and 2020, me and Joey Barton exchanged supportive messages.