Pic: Hitchin Town FC
A NON-LEAGUE footballer has been sacked after vile messages from his Twitter account were sent to AFC Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter, taunting him over his stillborn child.
An account in the name of Alfie Barker, who was on loan at Codicote FC from Southern Premier side Hitchin Town, sent two tweets to Arter following Bournemouth's 3-3 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday night, with the Gunners fighting back from 3-0 down.
Both messages were taunting the Republic of Ireland midfielder over the death of his child. Arter has previously spoken of his pain after the loss of his stillborn daughter in December 2015.
“At least you didn't lose your kid,” Barker's account tweeted. He then added: “Big hype just for a disappointment like the nine months leading up to your child's birth”.
Bournemouth have confirmed that Arter, who saw the messages after the game, reported Barker's account to Twitter.
The 18-year-old striker could also be set for further disciplinary action from the Football Association, who are trying to crack down on social media misuse.
Barker, who initially claimed his account was hacked, later apologised, posting: “I'm sorry for every comment made, I'd like to apologise to Harry Arter and his family for such disgraceful comments and I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart.”
Spartan South Midlands League side Codicote, who Barker is currently on loan with, condemned the tweets, saying: “Alfie Barker was registered with Hitchin Town but under dual-registration came to ourselves and Langford FC. Codicote FC adopts a responsibility to its social media outlets and expects the staff and players to do likewise.
“In regard to comments made by the player of an irresponsible and anti social nature we have no choice but to terminate our relationship with him.”
A Hitchin Town statement added: “Alfie Barker was registered to play for Hitchin Town in the Southern League and has appeared only briefly for the club in the 2016-17 season.
“In the light of the player's irresponsible and anti-social behaviour, we are terminating Alfie Barker's registration and relationship with the club with immediate effect.”
