Non-League player sacked for vile Twitter messages says it was “moment of madness”

Pic: Hitchin Town FC

THE Non-League footballer sacked for tweeting vile messages to Bournemouth’s Harry Arter says he wants to meet the Premier League midfielder face-to-face to apologise.

Alfie Barker was sacked by Southern Premier side Hitchin Town yesterday after news broke that the young striker had sent the disgusting tweets to Arter following Bournemouth’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The 18-year-old taunted the Republic of Ireland midfielder over the loss of his stillborn daughter in December 2015, 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.”

Barker was also told he had no future at Spartan South Midlands side Codicote FC, who he was on loan at from Hitchin.

Arter and Bouremouth reported Barker’s Twitter account after seeing the messages and the youngster could also be set for further disciplinary action from the Football Association, who are trying to crack down on social media misuse.

Barker, who lives with ADHD and a mild form of autism, says he accepts what he did was wrong, adding it was “a moment of madness” after being “annoyed” by Arsenal’s performance.

He told The Comet: “I’m not a horrible person. My aunt Stacey Hunt has actually had two miscarriages in the last five years, and I am distraught about upsetting her as well as my family – and of course Harry Arter and his family.

“I was watching Arsenal at home last night 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. It was a moment of madness.

“I have no social skills. I have no filter between my mouth and my brain. I work every day and I have spent the whole day trying to understand why I did what I did.

“I would like to meet Harry Arter face to face to apologise for my inexplicable actions. I cannot justify in any way, shape or form what I did but I would like to say sorry. I would like to write a letter to Harry saying sorry too. I feel like the worst person in the world today.

“I also completely understand why Hitchin Town took the action they did and I completely agree they did the right thing.”