Joey Barton charged over alleged malicious posts

Ex-Manchester City player Joey Barton is to appear in court charged with making malicious communications. The move follows an investigation by Cheshire Police.

In a statement today the force said: "A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised for Joseph Barton to be charged with two counts of malicious communications.

"The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications online between Wednesday 3 January and Wednesday 20 March, involving two victims."

The 41-year-old, of Fox Banks Close, Widnes, will appear at Magistrates Court at a later date.

Barton made more than 400 professional appearances for clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United Queens Park Rangers, Marseille, and Burnley, winning one England cap, and latterly managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.