LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Former Premier League soccer player Joey Barton has been given a suspended jail sentence after he was convicted of sending grossly offensive social media posts about two female pundits and a broadcaster who works on British television.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court found last month that the 43-year-old Barton “crossed the line between free speech and a crime” in six posts he made on X about Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko, who are both former players, and TV presenter Jeremy Vine.

Barton was cleared of six other counts that he sent a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety from January to March 2024.

On Monday, Judge Andrew Menary KC sentenced Barton to six months in custody, suspended for 18 months.

Barton must also compl

See Full Page