Nigeria-born Eni Aluko wins £300,000 libel case against Joey Barton

Former England international and broadcaster Eni Aluko has secured a significant legal victory after a High Court ruling ordered former footballer Joey Barton to pay more than £300,000 in damages and costs following a libel claim linked to social media posts.

The case centred on comments Barton published on X in 2024, which Aluko argued were defamatory and damaging to her reputation. The court heard the dispute had been stayed, effectively bringing proceedings to an end while confirming that Barton must pay substantial compensation.

Aluko, who was born in Nigeria before moving to the United Kingdom as a child, brought the legal action after two posts published by Barton accused her of hypocrisy and of exploiting claims of racism and bullying.

Her legal team argued the remarks were false and harmful, particularly given her prominent role in football broadcasting and public debate around equality in sport.

Gervase de Wilde, representing Aluko, told the court that Barton had conducted what he described as a deliberately targeted online campaign against the former striker.

Between January and August 2024, Barton posted dozens of messages about her on his account, including one that placed Aluko’s face onto the body of serial killer Rosemary West. De Wilde said the posts attacked several aspects of her character and personal life.

According to her counsel, the sustained commentary caused serious distress and exposed Aluko to waves of online abuse. The barrister told the High Court that the former Manchester City and Chelsea forward feared that any attempt to respond publicly would only fuel further attacks from Barton and his followers.

He added that Barton has since accepted the conduct amounted to harassment and that the publications should not have been made.

Under the court order, Barton has been instructed to pay £339,000 in damages and legal costs, with the first £100,000 plus interest due by March 24. Justice Nicholas Lavender allowed the former midfielder seven days to challenge the ruling.

Barton did not attend the hearing, with the court told he had been arrested earlier in the week and remained in custody. After proceedings concluded in London, Aluko told reporters she was relieved the dispute was over.