Joey Barton’s ‘warped, wicked views’ which saw him liken two female football pundits to serial killers Rosemary and Fred West have been strongly condemned by Daily Mail associate editor Stephen Wright.
Wright was speaking to It’s All Kicking Off hosts Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton on the back of his powerful article in which he said Barton’s serial killer comparison was an obscene new low for a deluded, sexist thug.
‘There is a line which you must not cross and I think he’s crossed that line by several country miles in this attack,’ Wright, who has covered crime for the Mail for 33 years, said.
‘If he wants to or was capable of making an intellectual argument, well, do it. Do it. But don’t compare these ITV commentators, one of whom I listen to quite a lot, Lucy Ward on TNT, formerly BT Sport, and she’s a very articulate and incisive commentator. Don’t compare these pundits to serial killers.
‘I mean, it is the most absurd, unnecessary comparison you can make. He cheapened the whole argument and made it worse by doubling down, trying to defend it. It’s indefensible what he has done.’
Joey Barton attacked ITV’s FA Cup third-round punditry team in yet another taunt against women in football
Barton slammed Eni Aluko for working on Everton’s game against Palace – saying she ‘can’t even kick a ball properly’ – before making a sick taunt towards her and broadcaster Lucy Ward
Barton bizarrely called Aluko and Ward ‘the Fred and Rose West of football commentary’. The serial killers are known to have committed at least 12 murders over a period of 20 years
Daily Mail Associate Editor Stephen Wright, who has covered crime for the publication for 33 years, spoke on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast of why Barton’s sick taunt is ‘indefensible’
Former Man City and Newcastle midfielder Barton has been intensely criticised in recent weeks for a series of sexist jibes against women, who he claims ‘aren’t qualified’ to talk about men’s football.
His latest attack was aimed at former Chelsea and England star Eniola Aluko and Ward, an ex-footballer turned commentator, during their coverage of last Thursday’s FA Cup third-round clash between Crystal Palace and Everton for ITV.
Addressing Aluko, he wrote on X: ‘How is she 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.’
The Wests murdered 12 women and young girls over the course of 20 years. Fred took his own life before facing trial while Rose was sentenced to 10 life terms. She remains in prison aged 70.
Wright covered the West trials extensively and feels it is important to remind people just how horrifying it was, and why such a reference from Barton is beyond the pale.
‘It’s offended me because I sat through the trial of Rosemary West, which was just simply horrific,’ he said.
‘I’ve been covering crime for 33 years and never in my career have I heard such harrowing evidence, both in the UK and abroad. It just simply disgusted me.
Podcast co-hosts Ian Ladyman (left) and Chris Sutton (right) heard Wright’s passionate words
Barton also sent a menacing message to Gary Neville, pictured, who had backed ITV’s stance
ITV denounced Barton’s criticism of Aluko and Ward as ‘shameful’ and ‘contemptible’
‘I was very wary as I wrote about giving oxygen to his warped, wicked views, which I fear will incite hatred towards women’s football by some. I was wary about giving oxygen to him, but I just felt in the end it was so foul what he was alleging that I had to make a stand and give my view and remind people who weren’t at the trial, who may have been young, not even born, about just how horrific the crimes of Rosemary and Fred West were. And as I pointed out, Barton was 11 years old when these crimes came to light almost 30 years to the day.’
Wright, a lifelong Manchester City fan, speaks eloquently in the episode about the abhorrent details of the trials, and how Barton’s comments stir up real trauma and distress for families of the killers’ victims.
He added that he has been left ‘ashamed’ that Barton ever represented his club and Wright is eager to see City, who have invested heavily in funding and promoting their women’s team, make a public statement against the ex-midfielder.
Sutton added his own thoughts, praising the hard work and quality of female pundits he has worked with in his various roles.
‘I’ve worked with a lot of female pundits, the likes of Rachel Brown-Finnis, who is really articulate,’ Sutton said.
‘She has strong opinions, she works hard. I see her prep and she works hard. I always think that that’s a sign of somebody who cares. And she knows her stuff, that’s the bottom line.
‘Lucy Ward is an excellent summarizer. I like listening to Lucy Ward, as a lot of people I know like listening to Lucy Ward. On Monday Night Club, I’ve worked with Karen Carney in the past, who is very clever, articulate.
Wright covered the West trials and has been left appalled by Barton’s remarks to the pundits
‘Izzy Christiansen at this moment in time just finished playing, I think she adds value. I love my cricket as well and I like listening to Ebony Rainford-Brent. I like listening to Alex Hartley, she’s just come out of the game, sharp, funny, witty, knows her stuff.
‘I know Joey from his playing career, Joey was a decent footballer. I think that he is an intelligent guy but I even think… the thing which struck me most about Stephen’s article was in the last paragraph. We talk about where the line is and I think if Joey has read Stephen’s article, that he would even accept that, he’s gone too far. The last paragraph said, but should he, Joey Barton, have an attack of decency and common sense, he might wish to consider how offensive his serial killer’s slur on the ITV pundits may be greeted by those who lost their loved ones to the West’s in the most horrific way imaginable.
If Joey has read that, I think that he would realise that he’s gone a step too far this time. He might deny that, but most people looking at that, we all know where most people side with this.’
