Eni Aluko has won her libel case against Joey Barton. The ex-QPR and Man City midfielder was ordered to pay “substantial” damages and the former Lionesses’ legal costs. She was in court as the case was “stayed”. Barton was not, having been arrested on Monday. He remains in custody after a man was attacked near a golf course.
Aluko, now a pundit, has found herself at the centre of controversy after clashing with Ian Wright. She accused the former Arsenal striker, as well as Nedum Onuoha, of taking roles in the women’s sports media that women could have.
This case, though, was about Barton’s online bile. Whatever one thinks of Aluko’s criticisms, it is clear that the amount of abuse female pundits, particularly Women of Colour, take is outrageous. If we want women’s participation in sport to grow, sports media is a vital part of that. The fear of attack must not be allowed to put off women from airing their insights.
Joey Barton Told to Pay Eni Aluko after Online Abuse
Aluko’s barrister, Gervase de Wilde, explained to the court that Barton wrongly said that his client “cynically sought to exploit her status as an alleged victim of racism and bullying”. It’s all pretty grim. At one point, Barton posted a picture in which Aluko’s head was put onto the body of the serial killer Rosemary West.
Barton thrived on his bad-boy image during his playing days. One of the most famous examples is him getting sent off and completely losing it whilst playing for QPR on that final day match against Man City in 2012. Bobby Zamora, a teammate of Barton’s during the incident, revealed on the Under the Cosh podcast that he told him to “take someone with ya.” In other words, knowing he was off, Barton should provoke a reaction from a Man City player so they also got a red card. He took this idea rather too far.
This latest outburst is is going to cost the former Bristol City and Fleetwood Town boss dear. He’s been ordered to pay Aluko a total of £339,000. The first £100,000 plus interest is due by 24th March. Hopefully others will learn and female pundits will not have to suffer similar attacks in future.
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