Joey Barton has made a vile reference to two notorious serial killers in his latest rant on female football pundits, this time taking aim at Eni Aluko.
Barton has made a series of misogynist posts on social media over the last month, after claiming "women shouldn't be talking with any kind of authority" in the men's game.
His latest outburst on came while former England striker Aluko was on punditry duty for ITV during the men's FA Cup tie between Crystal Palace and Everton, which ended 0-0. Barton managed to plummet to new lows is his tirade around women in football, describing Aluko and fellow broadcaster Lucy Ward as "the Fred and Rose West of football commentary."
After ITV Football posted a short clip of Aluko's pre-match punditry on X, in which she discussed Everton's situation this season, Barton responded in typically bizarre fashion.
"How is she even talking about Men’s football," posted the former QPR and Burnley midfielder. "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."
Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundariesCleary unable to let any female pundits without offering his opinion, Barton had already responded to another clip posted of Aluko broadcasting, writing: "Don't get me started on her."
Fred and wife Rose West committed at least 12 murders over the course of 20 years at their home in Gloucester. Barton's outburst is just the latest in a long line after taking a baffling aim at the growing influence of women in football - specifically pundits and commentators.
Barton, who played for Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR was manager of Bristol Rovers, before he was sacked earlier this season with the team 16th in League One. Since then the midfielder - whose England career consists of a 12 minute appearance during a dismal friendly loss against Spain - has criticised the likes of Alex Scott and Bianca Westwood in social media tirades throughout the last month.
Aluko won 102 caps for the Lionesses, scoring 33 international goals during a glittering career that also saw her play for Birmingham, Chelsea and Juventus at club level. She retired from playing in 2020, but has provided analysis in a punditry capacity on both men's and women's football for nearly a decade.
Ward is a widely respected co-commentator for Amazon Prime and TNT Sports, having finished her playing career back in 2009. The third round tie between Crystal Palace and Everton will be replayed after a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's controversial red card the big talking point.