Barton escapes action over Terry Twitter outburst

Joey Barton will not face legal action regarding his Twitter remarks about the John Terry racism case, a statement released by the British government's chief law officer said Monday.

After Terry was stripped of the England captaincy by the Football Association on Friday, Barton made a series of pointed observations on the case.

Terry is facing charges of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand - charges the Chelsea defender has always denied.

Although Barton defended his actions on the grounds of free speech, some observers felt he was close to being in contempt of court and possibly prejudicing a trial.

However, the Attorney General's office, in a statement, said Monday that QPR midfielder Barton wouldn't face any action but warned of the dangers of contempt ahead of Terry's case at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on July 9.

"Between February 3-5, Twitter exchanges on Joey Barton's page which related to the forthcoming trial of John Terry were brought to the attention of the Attorney General's office," the statement said.

"They have been considered in relation to any possible contempt of court they could create. In this instance the Attorney has decided no action is necessary."

A spokesman for the Attorney General's Office said: "Although in this instance no action will be taken, we would like to remind those who publish material that proceedings for the John Terry trial are active.

"Any discussion of a live court case has the potential to interfere with its proper course."
 

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