A trial date has been set for ex-footballer Joey Barton, who is accused of sending malicious communications to football pundit Eni Aluko. Barton, 41, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday to a charge of conveying an indecent or offensive message, for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety, between January 3 and 8, in connection with posts on social media site X that he made about the former women’s footballer.