Arabic version: إيني ألوك تفوز بقضية تشهير ضد جوي بارتون بسبب منشورات على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي

Former England footballer and pundit Eni Aluko has been awarded more than £300,000 in damages and legal costs after suing Joey Barton for libel over social media posts. According to BBC News, the High Court found that Barton’s actions constituted a targeted campaign of vilification against Aluko.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Barton published 48 posts relating to Aluko on his X account between January and August 2024. His comments included claims that Aluko had cynically sought to exploit her status as an alleged victim of racism and bullying, which her legal representative described as an attack on multiple aspects of her life.

Barton did not attend the hearing, as he was in custody following an arrest related to an assault charge. His barrister acknowledged that Barton’s campaign against Aluko amounted to harassment, and he accepted responsibility for the harmful publications.

Justice Nicholas Lavender ordered Barton to pay a total of £339,000, with the first £100,000 plus interest due by March 24. Aluko expressed her relief at the ruling, stating, “I’m glad it’s the end.”