Joey Barton: Former footballer charged after alleged assault near a golf club in Merseyside

Former footballer Joey Barton has been charged in connection with wounding with intent, after a man was left seriously injured from an assault near a golf club at the weekend.

The victim is being treated in hospital for serious injuries to his face and body. He is said to be in a stable condition.

Barton, 43, and Gary O'Grady, 50, have been charged in connection with the assault.

They are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that two men have been charged following an assault in Huyton on Sunday night, March 8.

"At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

"The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of serious injuries to his face and body. He is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

"Two men were arrested. Detectives have now charged the following men with Section 18 wounding with intent: Joseph Anthony Barton, 43, of Widnes. Gary O'Grady, 50, of Huyton.

"Both men remain in custody to appear at Wirral Magistrates Court this afternoon, Tuesday 10 March."

Meanwhile, Barton has been told to pay Eni Aluko more than £300,000 in damages and legal costs after he was sued for libel.

The High Court heard the case had been stayed, with Barton to pay "substantial" damages and Ms Aluko's legal costs.

Barton did not attend the hearing following his arrest on Monday, with Gervase de Wilde, for Ms Aluko, telling the court that he "is currently being held in custody".

Former England footballer and pundit Ms Aluko brought legal action against Barton over two posts he made in 2024 on social media site X.

Mr De Wilde said that in the two X posts Barton had wrongly claimed she had "cynically sought to exploit her status as an alleged victim of racism and bullying", and that she was a hypocrite.

The barrister said that between January and August 2024, Barton published 48 posts relating to Ms Aluko on his X account, adding that he had "carried out a deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification".

Mr de Wilde said one post included an image of Ms Aluko's head superimposed onto serial killer Rosemary West's body.

He continued: "The campaign amounted to an attack on multiple aspects of her life and personality."

"Mr Barton's campaign caused Ms Aluko enormous distress. When she sought to defend herself against Mr Barton's conduct, and that of his followers, he criticised and attacked her for doing so," he added.

Mr de Wilde said Ms Aluko was worried that however she tried to stop the harassment, Barton "would exploit and manipulate it to use against her".

The barrister continued: "Mr Barton has now accepted that his campaign against Ms Aluko amounted to harassment and that he should not have made the publications."

According to a court order seen by the Press Association, Barton has been told to pay £339,000 - with the first £100,000 plus interest due by March 24.

Mr Justice Lavender granted Barton seven days to ask to change the order. Ms Aluko attended the London court on Tuesday and told PA after the hearing: "I'm glad it's the end."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Joey Barton: Former footballer charged after alleged assault near a golf club in Merseyside