The non-league footballer who was sacked by his club for vile abuse of Harry Arter has spoken out about the incident, and offered a comprehensive apology for his actions.
Alfie Barker, who had his loan at Codicote terminated and was released by parent club Hitchin Town, had tweeted during Bournemouth's 3-3 draw with Arsenal:
Big hype just for a disappointment like the nine months leading up to your child's birth.
Arter and his partner Rachel's baby daughter Renee was stillborn in December 2015, and Barker's tweet was condemned by fans and clubs alike, with Bournemouth reporting the slur to the FA.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live this morning, the player himself has elaborated on the incident, expressing deep sorrow for his remarks:
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.
It was a moment of madness. It's the worst thing I've ever done in my life, but it is so out of character. I honestly don't know why I did it.
I also completely understand why Hitchin Town took the action they did and I completely agree they did the right thing.
19-year-old Barker takes medication to combat the symptoms of ADHD and a mild form of autism, and had previously told Stevenage-based newspaper The Comet that he was "distraught" that his comments had upset Arter. In that interview, Barker revealed that his aunt had suffered two miscarriages in the last five years.
Hitchin Town, from whom Barker was on loan at Codicote, released the following statement in the aftermath of Barker's initial tweet:
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.
[BBC]
