Former footballer Joey Barton has pleaded not guilty to an offence of malicious communications in relation to posts directed at the pundit Eni Aluko. Barton, 41, appeared at Warrington magistrates court accused of conveying an indecent or offensive message between 3 and 8 January in connection with posts on X that he made about the former England international. He appeared in the dock wearing a dark checked suit and a navy shirt and tie and spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth to deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram, as well as to elect for his case to be heard at crown court after entering a not guilty plea. Barton posted after Aluko and Lucy Ward were pundits for ITV for an FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton on 4 January, allegedly comparing them to the serial killers Fred and Rose West. In a follow-up post he compared Aluko to Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot, the prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court. Barton was told he must appear at Liverpool crown court on 27 August. Judge Ikram said: “Mr Barton, I am sending your case to the crown court. You will appear at 9.30am on the 27th August. I am granting you conditional bail with one condition: that you will not make any mention of Eni Aluko on any social media, and that is either directly or indirectly, or by inference. “I am imposing that condition to ensure no further offences are created. Make sure you are there on time please. If you do not appear, a warrant may be issued. You are free to leave the court.” Barton nodded at the judge as he left the court room with his defence solicitor Richard Derby. Aluko, whose clubs included Chelsea, scored 33 international goals in 102 games before retiring in 2020 and establishing a media career. Barton, a former Manchester City and Newcastle player, was sacked as League One Bristol Rovers’ manager last October after almost three years.