Court Orders Former Premier League Midfielder Joey Barton To Pay Eni Aluko After Defamation Campaign

The High Court has ordered Joey Barton to pay Eni Aluko substantial damages after finding in a defamation case arising from social media posts he made in 2024.

“- Published Former England footballer and pundit Eni Aluko has been awarded more than £300,000 damages and legal costs after suing Joey Barton for libel over social media posts”

BBC

Both Goal and the BBC report that Aluko was awarded more than £300,000 to cover reputational damage and legal costs, with a total financial award recorded at £339,000.

BBC

The court order stayed the proceedings while imposing the payment, and the judgment was described in coverage as bringing an end to a prolonged legal dispute for Aluko.

The case centred on posts Barton published on social media site X in 2024, which Aluko argued were defamatory and formed part of a sustained campaign of harassment.

Coverage from both outlets notes that the legal action focused on two X posts from 2024, while Aluko's lawyer told the court that between January and August 2024 Barton published 48 messages relating to her, constituting a 'deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification'.

Goal

One particularly shocking post highlighted by the claim included an image superimposing Aluko's head onto the body of serial killer Rosemary West.

During the hearing, Aluko's legal team described the impact of the online campaign as causing 'enormous distress' and warned that attempts to respond could be manipulated by Barton and his followers.

“- Published Former England footballer and pundit Eni Aluko has been awarded more than £300,000 damages and legal costs after suing Joey Barton for libel over social media posts”

BBC

The BBC reported Gervase de Wilde saying Barton had 'carried out a deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification' and had criticised Aluko when she defended herself.

Goal's coverage similarly quoted the claimant's representative describing the campaign as 'an attack on multiple aspects of her life and personality' that left Aluko fearing further exploitation if she responded.

Joey Barton did not attend the High Court hearing, and both sources report he was in police custody at the time after an arrest related to further assault charges.

The BBC notes De Wilde told the court Barton 'was arrested on Monday and is currently being held in custody',

Goal

Goal likewise reported that the defendant was 'conspicuously absent' because he had been arrested and was in police custody following additional assault allegations near a golf course in Huyton, Merseyside.

Aluko attended the hearing and expressed relief at the outcome, telling reporters she was 'glad it's over'.

“- Published Former England footballer and pundit Eni Aluko has been awarded more than £300,000 damages and legal costs after suing Joey Barton for libel over social media posts”

BBC

Both outlets record that Barton has been ordered to pay the award with an initial payment requirement and a short window to seek to vary the order: the BBC notes the first £100,000 plus interest is due by March 24 and that Justice Nicholas Lavender granted Barton seven days to ask to change the order.

BBC

Coverage frames the judgment as a significant legal victory for Aluko following months of online harassment.