A jury in Liverpool Crown Court found Barton had “crossed the line between free speech and a crime”. After Ward and Aluko had appeared on television coverage of a FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton last season, Barton wrote in a tweet that they were the “Fred and Rose West of football commentary”. As Ward reminded the jury in her testimony last week, Fred and Rose West had tortured, sexually abused and killed children. He also said he was attempting to be “provocative” and ignite a serious national debate about women broadcasting on the men’s game. In court she described comments from Barton on social media as “continuous harassment”.

Source: The Irish Times November 10, 2025 10:31 UTC