Former Manchester City player Joey Barton has received a suspended sentence for 'grossly offensive' social media posts to football pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward and broadcaster Jeremy Vine. The 43-year-old was handed a six-month prison sentence, which is suspended for 18 months. The ex-Newcastle United man claims that he "never meant to hurt anyone" with his electronic communications.

Barton found guilty by jury

In November, Barton was found guilty of sending 'grossly offensive' social media posts, where he called Vine a "bike nonce" and compared Ward and Aluko to serial killer couple Fred and Rose West on X. Jurors at Liverpool Crown Court found that he had "crossed the line between free speech and a crime" on six counts after being charged with 12 counts of sending a grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety back in January 2024.

At the trial, Barton said: "It was not meant to call him a paedophile. It was a bad, dark, juvenile joke. I have not at any point tried to cause distress or anxiety or risk his life or his daughters' lives. I don't want people to fear for their lives, I'm a dad. I cannot believe I'm on trial for this. Words on a social media site."

AdvertisementGetty/GOALBarton avoids jail term

The former Bristol Rovers manager was handed an 18-month suspended sentence, which means he will not serve any time behind bars unless he reoffends in that period. He was given six months each for two offences against Aluko and four months for each of the four counts related to Vine and Ward. At the sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary KC also ordered Barton to perform 200 hours of unpaid community work and pay more than £20,000 in costs. 

After leaving court, Barton told The BBC: "If I could turn back the clock I would. I never meant to hurt anyone. It was a joke that got out of hand. Nobody wants to go to jail."

'Sustained campaign of online abuse'

The judge added that targeting individuals online, in the way Barton did, falls outside the realm of freedom of speech. 

He told the court: "Robust debate, satire, mockery and even crude language may fall within permissible free speech. But when posts deliberately target individuals with vilifying comparisons to serial killers or false insinuations of paedophilia, designed to humiliate and distress, they forfeit their protection. As the jury concluded, your offences exemplify behaviour that is beyond this limit – amounting to a sustained campaign of online abuse that was not mere commentary but targeted, extreme and deliberately harmful."

Menary added that he was satisfied that Barton's custodial terms did not have to be "served immediately" and he had faith he could change his ways for good.

He said: "In light of the steps you have taken, I am persuaded that there is some prospect of rehabilitation – that an immediate custodial sentence is not required to protect either the public or the victims. A suspended sentence order may – may – itself operate as a deterrent against any future defending by you."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images EntertainmentWhat now for Barton?

Two-year restraining orders were issued against each of Barton's victims, which includes publishing any reference to them on any social media or broadcast platform.

After the verdict, Vine added: "I'm happy the case is over. Joey Barton has been made to pay a lot for his disgusting lies and abuse, but I fear he'll keep offending until the day he dies."

Cheshire Police said they hoped this case would deter others from sharing "abusive and hateful messages" online going forward.

"Barton's posts would have been seen by hundreds, if not thousands of people, and yet he showed no regard or consideration for how this would impact on his victims and their wellbeing. The sentence handed to him today comes with a number of strict conditions and should he breach these in any way he may face the prospect of time behind bars," said the police spokesperson.

Fernando Tatis Jr. thinks it’s obvious who the best player in Major League Baseball is, but that doesn’t mean he wants to admit it.

During his media availability at the MLB All-Star Game, Tatis was asked who he thought the league’s best player was. He had an answer but didn’t want to say the name.

“I feel like that’s a really obvious question,” the San Diego Padres right fielder said with a laugh. “But he’s my rival, I’m not gonna mention his name. You know it already, 17 for the blue team.”

Tatis is obviously referring to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who has won three MVP awards. It’s pretty funny that the Padres-Dodgers rivalry has gotten so heated that one All-Star has to begrudgingly admit another is the best player in baseball.

So far this season, Ohtani is slashing .276/.382/.605, with a National League-best 32 home runs and 60 RBIs. It’s actually shocking to see his OPS below 1.000. He’s currently fifth in MLB with 4.7 fWAR, and his wRC+ (168) ranks fourth.

Obviously Tatis was joking around, but there are only two possible answers to that question. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has a legitimate claim to that title this season, but it’ll be tough for anyone to beat Ohtani in that contest. Especially now that he’s back pitching.

Rafael Devers has exclusively been a designated hitter this season, despite what he and the teams that employ him have wanted. Devers, a former All-Star third baseman, lost his position in Boston when the team signed Alex Bregman and then traded him to the San Francisco Giants where he has also been reluctant to transition to first base.

On Tuesday, WEEI's Will Flemming revealed that Devers had stood up Giants legend Will Clark when he first arrived in San Francisco. While Devers was taking some reps at first ahead of the team's game on Tuesday night, the origin of Flemming's story surfaced.

Will Clark had told the story of Devers not coming out to practice with him not once, but three times during his first series in San Francisco. Clark told the story on his podcast with Eric Byrnes a week ago and even said he understood why Devers didn't come out to work with him.

"So Matt Williams and Bob Melvin want me to go out there and work with him around first base," said Clark. "No problem. And we weren't gonna like go through anything physical. We're just going to walk through and say hey look if the throw's coming from over there stand this way, if the throw's coming from over there, stand that way. It wasn't gonna be this big thing. And Friday, Saturday, Sunday he did not come early. At all. Period. Not at all. In fact, he didn't even hit on the field, right?"

Clark then explained exactly what he thought had happened that weekend.

"I know what the f— happened," he continued. "I said he didn't want to go out and be at first base and be 20 feet in front of their frickin' dugout with what went on in Boston and now he's working with me at first base. He didn't want to have to go through all that bullsh– through the press and the media. And so I completely understand. But Rafael Devers, next time I'm in San Francisco, your ass will be on the field at first base. Just letting you know that."

Clark went on to say that Devers would be on first even if it meant he had to grab him by the "back of the neck" and drag him out there himself.

Devers went 2-for-12 with a home run as the Giants won two of three games in that series vs. the Red Sox.

The Yankees, trailing by three at the bottom of the fourth in an elimination Game 3 on Tuesday, needed a huge boost with the Blue Jays threatening to sweep the series. So Aaron Judge decided to take matters into his own hands.

The famed pinstripes slugger smashed one off the left-field foul pole for a three-run homer for New York, tying the game 6–6 and infusing some much-needed momentum into a team looking to claw its way back from a 2–0 ALDS series hole vs. Toronto.

Naturally, the hit brought fans both in the stadium and online to their feet (literally and metaphorically, depending on the crowd), but no group had as strong or as funny a reaction as the Yankees dugout, which cameras caught freaking out as Judge made his way around the diamond.

This screen grab in particular is quite illustrative of the mood in the Bronx at that moment:

The following inning, the Yankees managed to take the lead on a Jazz Chisholm Jr. home run, then kept it for a final 9–6 tally. And now that they've pulled off the clutch win, thereby living to see another game, both the team and onlookers will point to the Judge homer—and the subsequent reaction from his teammates—as the moment it all changed.

ساهم محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول في فوز فريقه على حساب برايتون، بثنائية نظيفة، على ملعب “آنفيلد” في الجولة السادسة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وعلى الرغم من أنه لم يبدأ بشكل أساسي، إلا أنه شارك بديلاً في منتصف الشوط الأول بديلاً لجو جوميز وصنع الفارق بعرضية رائعة ليحرز إيكتيكي هدف الفوز أمام برايتون.

وترددت عدة تكهنات خلال الفترة الماضية، أن محمد صلاح قد يلعب آخر مبارياته أمام برايتون بقميص ليفربول، وأنه سيودع الجماهير حيث أصبح من المحتمل أن يرحل في يناير المقبل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفربول إيكو تشيد بـ محمد صلاح بعد تألقه أمام برايتون في الدوري الإنجليزي

وسئل إبراهيما كوناتي مدافع ليفربول في تصريحات نشرتها “Anfield Agenda” حول ما إذا كانت هذه المباراة الأخيرة لمحمد صلاح: “بصراحة، لا أعرف”.

وأضاف: “لا أعتقد ذلك، الجميع شاهد كم يحب محمد صلاح ليفربول وبهذا القدر، أحياناً عليك أن تتفهم الإحباط والجميع يحب بعضهم في النادي، لن أتحدث في التفاصيل، لكنه لاعب يحبه الجميع وأتمنى ألا تكون مباراته الأخيرة”.

Edwin Díaz is returning to free agency after turning down the qualifying offer from the Mets, which was worth $22 million. As such, he’ll be free to sign with any team entering his age-32 season.

Díaz could return to the Mets, where he’s played since 2019, but there will certainly be other teams in the mix to sign the talented reliever on the open market. After all, Díaz is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Hoffman Reliever of the Year award winner, and he’s coming off one of the best seasons of his career.

In turning down the qualifying offer, Díaz is signaling that he’s in the market for a long-term deal. He could be in line to make close to, if not more than Tanner Scott received from the Dodgers last offseason, when he signed a four-year, $72 million deal.

So, where could Díaz end up signing? Let’s take a look at a few fits for the veteran reliever.

New York Mets

A return to Queens would make plenty of sense for both sides. It doesn’t come as a surprise that Díaz turned down the qualifying offer, but that is in no way an indication that he doesn’t want to continue playing in New York.

The Mets’ bullpen would be relatively barren without Díaz owning the ninth inning. As it stands, the team has just three relievers under contract for the 2026 season: A.J. Minter, Richard Lovelady and Brooks Raley. They’ll certainly address the position in the offseason, and Díaz will be at the forefront of their scope.

Díaz has had a somewhat up-and-down tenure with the Mets, but he had a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts and 28 saves last season. And with Steve Cohen still desperate to assemble a winner in Queens, letting Díaz walk doesn’t seem like a move that would help the organization achieve its goal of winning a World Series.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays made a run to the World Series with Jeff Hoffman at closer. Díaz would be a significant upgrade over Hoffman, who blew seven saves in 2025 and had a 4.37 ERA. Díaz is one of the most established closing pitchers in MLB, with 253 saves in his career. The 31-year-old didn’t blow a single save last season, and having him out of the bullpen in Game 7 could’ve been exactly what Toronto needed against the Dodgers.

Spending big hasn’t been a concern for the Blue Jays, who have been willing to dole out hefty contracts in order to compete with likes of the Dodgers and Yankees, among others.

Hoffman is still under contract for another two years, but it may make more sense for him to return to the setup role in which he’s previously excelled. In 2023 and ‘24 with the Phillies, Hoffman was one of MLB’s best relief pitchers. He logged a 2.28 ERA across 122 appearances and even earned a trip to the All-Star Game in ‘24.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers will likely be in on a number of this offseason’s biggest free agents as they look to continue their reign. The bullpen was by far their biggest cause for concern in 2025, and bringing in the reliable arm of Díaz would instantly help to alleviate their woes.

Of course, that would mean the Dodgers have nearly $40 million allotted to two relievers annually in Scott and Díaz. If Scott can return to form after leading MLB with 10 blown saves last year, Los Angeles would have the league’s most formidable one-two punch to handle the late innings, in addition to their top-tier starting rotation.

If money isn’t an issue, and it isn’t, the Dodgers should not balk at the idea of bringing Díaz to Hollywood. The idea of competing for championships alongside some of the biggest stars in MLB is anything but a tough sell, so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Díaz pitching at Dodger Stadium in 2026.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have plenty of relievers hitting free agency this offseason, so they’ll certainly be in the market for new bullpen arms. The tandem of Danny Palencia and Andrew Kittredge was effective in 2025, but they could elevate the bullpen in a big way by bringing Díaz on board.

Palencia and Kittredge could work out as setup men, getting Chicago to the ninth inning for Díaz to shut the door on opponents.

The Cubs haven’t had a stable closer since Craig Kimbrel in 2018. They’ve tried to swing big at closer in the past, but the results haven’t been there. They landed Ryan Pressly in a trade with the Astros ahead of the ‘25 season, but he quickly lost the closer’s role and struggled in his lone year in Chicago. Diaz could be the long-term solution to their long-standing problem out of the back-end of the bullpen, though he’d come at a significant cost.

MatériaMais Notícias

CRB e Botafogo-PB inauguram as quartas de final da Copa do Nordeste e se enfrentam nesta terça-feira (9), às 20h (de Brasília), em busca de uma vaga na semifinal. O confronto será transmitido pelo SBT (AL e PB) e pelo Nosso Futebol (TV Fechada).

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Confira abaixo todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre CRB e Botafogo-PB (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
CRB x Botafogo-PB
Copa do Nordeste – Quartas de final

🗓️ Data e horário: terça-feira, 9 de abril de 2024, às 20h (de Brasília)
📍 Local: Estádio Rei Pelé, em Maceió (AL)
📺 Onde assistir: SBT (TV Aberta, para Alagoas e Paraíba) e Nosso Futebol (TV Fechada)

continua após a publicidade

⚽ESCALAÇÕES

CRB
Matheus Albino, Hereda, Saimon, Fábio Alemão e Willian Formiga; Falcão, Caio César, Gegê e Jorginho; Anselmo Ramon e Léo Pereira. Técnico: Daniel Paulista.

BOTAFOGO-PB
Dalton, Lenon, Reniê, Wendel Lomar e Evandro; Júlio Rusch, Thallyson e Bruno Leite; Gabriel Lima, Jean Silva e Jô. Técnico: Moacir Júnior.

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

Botafogo-PBCopa do NordesteCRB

We have a genuine title race on our hands in Scotland.

On Sunday, in a match branded the biggest club game played on Scottish football for generations, it proved to be an afternoon of celebration for those bedecked in maroon.

Heart of Midlothian beat Celtic 3-1 at Tynecastle, a Dane Murray own goal breaking the deadlock in Edinburgh, only for Callum McGregor to equalise soon after, but quick-fire goals from Alexandros Kyziridis and then Lawrence Shankland secured the points.

This leaves Hearts eight points clear, with Celtic having now lost back-to-back league games, also beaten at Dundee a week earlier, just the second time Brendan Rodgers has tasted defeat in successive Premiership games, after December 2023, the second of which back then was also at the hands of the Jambos.

Falkirk will visit Parkhead on Wednesday, before all eyes will turn to next Sunday’s Glasgow derby at Hampden in the League Cup semi-finals, but which players played their way out of contention for that one with a less than impressive display in the capital?

Celtic's centre-back crisis

Last Thursday’s come from behind Europa League victory over Sturm Graz came at a serious cost, considering Kelechi Ịheanachọ and Alistair Johnston were both forced off with injuries in the first half, but the biggest blow of all was losing Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The American international has been a mainstay in the Celtic team since joining the club from Tottenham in 2021, but could be sidelined until March due to an achilles injury.

In his absence, Murray got the nod to start at Tynecastle, this only the 22-year-old’s 29th senior appearance, 20 of which have come for Queen’s Park.

Well, his inexperience was very much apparent when, with only eight minutes on the clock, he lashed a calamitous own goal into Kasper Schmeichel’s top corner.

Given this woeful error, on what was only his third start for Celtic, he may have to wait a little while for his fourth, with Auston Trusty and forgotten man Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who may as well be on Interpol’s missing persons list at this point, surely better options to partner Liam Scales going forward.

However, which other Celtic starter, who has a much higher profile and cost a hell of a lot more money, also did not impress in Gorgie?

Expensive Celtic signing could be back on the bench

Against both Sturm Graz and Hearts, having been part of the midfield trio to start the campaign, Benjamin Nygren has been deployed on the right-wing, largely due to a lack of alternative attacking options.

His header pinched the points in Europe on Thursday, while the Swede was denied a goal at the weekend on the cusp of half time by a smart save from Alexander Schwolow, possibly paying the price for his indecisiveness.

This positional move has opened up a midfield spot, with Arne Engels returning to the starting lineup, but he certainly has not grasped this opportunity with both hands, and the table below documents his miserable afternoon in Edinburgh.

As the table documents, the Belgian’s statistics at Tynecastle do not make for good reading.

While only Murray, Scales and Callum McGregor completed more passes than Engels, he did little with this possession, creating no chances, losing possession a total of 24 times, the most of any player on the pitch, while Kieran Tierney, the next highest Celtic man in that ranking, only did so on 16 occasions.

Engels arrived in Glasgow just over a year ago to sky-high expectations, considering he was replacing Matt O’Riley while costing a club-record fee of £11m.

After an up and down first campaign, the 22-year-old had only started three times this season prior to the last two fixtures, yet to score a goal, while both of his assists have been set-piece deliveries.

Also, central midfield is possibly the only area of Rodgers’ squad with genuine depth and competition for places.

Captain McGregor’s name is written in permanent marker on the team sheet, while Nygren, Reo Hatate, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan are all also vying for minutes.

Having been given a chance, Engels may have played his way to the back of the queue for next Sunday’s Old Firm, so it would frankly be a surprise if he was included in the starting lineup for the visit of Falkirk on Wednesday.

Not Trusty: Celtic must replace Carter-Vickers with "exceptional" youngster

With Cameron Carter-Vickers set to be sidelined for 5 months, Rodgers must trust Celtic’s “exceptional” youngster, not Auston Trusty, to start.

By
Ben Gray

Oct 26, 2025

Manchester United have encountered major squad changes under INEOS and could be set to experience another big development under Ruben Amorim by selling one star to Bayern Munich.

Man Utd set to make midfield moves in 2026

There is no secret that the Red Devils wanted another midfielder on top of their current crop during the January transfer window. However, they will have to wait until 2026 to bring in engine room solidity.

Following a failed approach to land Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, Manchester United are reported to be lining up a January move for Porto’s Victor Froholdt, who has a £74 million release clause at the Primeira Liga giants.

Providing a more homegrown feel, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is also a high-profile name on Amorim’s list, even if it could cost a hefty price of £100 million to uproot the England international from South London.

After frustration over Kobbie Mainoo’s Manchester United future, the former Sporting boss delivered an intriguing take in the build-up to his side’s win at Liverpool on Sunday, emphasising that he understands why the Carrington graduate and others may feel hard done by not to have received more minutes.

Man Utd want to sign gem loved by Frank Lampard as part of INEOS strategy

The Red Devils are now plotting a new addition.

BySean Markus Clifford Oct 19, 2025

He stated: “That is normal, and I also know that in our club, everything is a lot of noise, and you have to have news, and players are not playing. They want to play. Like you said, there’s a World Cup. There are agents that listen to the players talking all the time. So, I understand that but they are our players, and we need everyone to have a good season.”

Ultimately, players come and go and that is something no club is immune from, hence why a landmark departure could now happen at Manchester United come 2026.

Bruno Fernandes wanted by Bayern Munich

According to reports in Spain, Bayern Munich have entered the race to sign Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes and the Portugal international could be tempted by the prospect of a move to the Allianz Arena.

Should a fee in the region of £60 million be offered, the Red Devils may be tempted to cash in on their captain to avoid a scenario where he tries to engineer an exit from Old Trafford.

Five similar players to Bruno Fernandes (FBRef)

Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea

Nadiem Amiri

Mainz

Alex Baena

Atletico Madrid

Declan Rice

Arsenal

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

Despite missing penalties against Fulham and Brentford this season, he remains a leading light for Manchester United in their quest to reach the top of English football again, though his contract is set to expire in 2027, something that could create problems down the line.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia are also keen on his services, though his main priority is to remain within European football, albeit the final decision will be left down to him personally rather than an outright refusal from the Red Devils to sell. Either way, this one may be worth keeping an eye on.

MatériaMais Notícias

Juventude e Athletico se enfrentam neste domingo (28), no Estádio Alfredo Jaconi, pela quarta rodada do Brasileirão. A bola rola a partir das 18h30 (de Brasília), em Caxias do Sul (RS), com transmissão do Premiere (pay-per-view). Os donos da casa somam quatro pontos em três partidas até aqui, enquanto o Furacão tem seis.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Quer apostar nesse jogo?