Joey Barton blasts 'the Fred and Rose West of commentary' while also ranting about VAR after Everton incident

Joey Barton blasts 'the Fred and Rose West of commentary' while also ranting about VAR after Everton incident

WATCH NOW: Latest sports round-up as Joey Barton writes another controversial post

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 05/01/2024

- 08:39

The former England international has written another controversial post on social media

Joey Barton has labelled female football pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward as the 'Fred and Rose West of football commentary'.

The outspoken former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder has taken his criticism of women commenting on men's football to a new level.


Barton hit out at female pundits in December, claiming they had no authority to talk about the men's game.

He launched an incredible rant on social media with a range of sexist tweets, which saw high-profile presenters such as Alex Scott and Laura Woods hit back.

Joey Barton

Joey Barton has made another controversial post on social media

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Barton was also critical of the public voting England women's goalkeeper Mary Earps as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

But he has now gone to a new extreme by comparing two prominent female pundits to two of England's most famous serial killers.

Fred West committed at least 12 murders of young women between 1967 and 1987, the majority with his wife Rose.

Former England and Chelsea forward Aluko was a pundit for ITV's coverage of the FA Cup third-round clash between Crystal Palace and Everton on Thursday, while former Leeds women's star Ward was on co-commentary duty.

Barton posted on X: "How is [Aluko] even talking about Men’s football. She can’t even kick a ball properly.

"Your coverage of the game EFC last night, took it to a new low.

"Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary."

X users were quick to condemn Barton in the replies following his outrageous post.

One wrote: "Comparing a football commentator with serial killers to score points. That’s an evil thing to do."

While another put: "I agree that Aluko don't cut it. But comparing both to two of Britain's notorious serial killers is pretty disgraceful!"

One launched a defence of Ward, who is a regular co-commentator on Premier League matches for TNT Sports.

They wrote: "Lucy Ward is an excellent commentator tbf."

While another user posted: "Why am I following Joey Barton?"

Palace and Everton played out a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's sending off the main talking point.

VAR adjudged the striker to have committed a dangerous challenge on Palace's Nathaniel Clyne and referee Michael Salisbury overturned his original decision and produced the red card.

Former referee Keith Hackett criticised the decision on X and Barton was quick to join in with the scathing verdict.

The 41-year-old said all referees should be sacked as he called for a major change of VAR.

Barton wrote: "Keith it’s beyond a joke now. Only just seen the DCL challenge.

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Eni Aluko

Eni Aluko was a pundit on ITV's coverage of the FA Cup tie

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"Anyone with a brain knows at the very worst, it’s a yellow card. For that to be a red is really incompetent.

"How much money is being spent to get sub standard officials.

"Sack them all. Pure overkill.

"Officials need accountability and responsibility. Let them control the game.

"4 officials on the ground match day and a TMO in the ground upstairs."

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was controversially sent off against Crystal Palace

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"It’s a failing system.

"Time to do away with VAR off site. TMO Has to be in the stadium.

"Official who is in charge decides when and where it is needed. Just like Rugby.

"It’s really not that hard.

"It’s just the traffic wardens who have never played a minute's competitive football that keep f*****g it up.

"It’s easy to implement, I could do it tomorrow without a hitch."

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