Non-League player Alfie Barker banned for seven months after vile tweets sent to Harry Arter

Pic: Hitchin Town FC

ALFIE BARKER, the Non-League footballer who sent vile tweets to Premier League star Harry Arter, has been suspended for seven months by the Football Association.

Barker, a registered Hitchin Town player at the time, sent tweets to Bournemouth’s Arter about the death of his baby daughter.

The 18-year-old sent the sick tweets during Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Bournemouth on January 3, saying: “At least you didn’t lose your kid. Big hype just for a disappointment like the nine months leading up to your child’s birth.”

Arter and parter Rachel’s baby daughter Renee was stillborn in December 2015 and the Republic of Ireland midfielder was said to have reported the tweets after seeing them following the game.

Barker was sacked by Southern Premier side Hitchin and told by Codicote FC, the team he was on loan with, that he was not welcome back.

At the time, Barker told The Comet that “it was a moment of madness”, adding: “I’m not a horrible person. I was watching Arsenal at home and I was hyper. At 3-0 down they weren’t playing well and I was annoyed.

“I’d had a couple of beers and was frustrated at the way the team was playing and I just lashed out. I have no idea why I focused on Harry Arter and his family and I am so, so sorry for what I have done.”

The youngster admitted an FA charge of posting comments which were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute at a hearing on Tuesday.

Barker was subsequently banned from all football activity until August 1 and was also fined £250.