JOEY Barton has been ordered to pay Eni Aluko £300,000 after comparing the female pundit to Rose West in a string of posts.
Eni brought legal action against the ex-footballer over two posts he made in 2024 on social media site X.
Joey Barton has been ordered to pay Eni £300kCredit: Getty
He compared the female pundit to Rose WestCredit: Alamy
The High Court today heard the case had been stayed, with Barton to pay “substantial” damages and Eni’s legal costs.
According to a court order seen the total is £339,000 – with the first £100,000 plus interest due by March 24.
Barton was granted seven days to change the order by Mr Justice Lavender.
Eni, who attended court today, said after the hearing: “I’m glad it’s the end.”
The court was told the X posts that between January and August 2024, Barton published 48 posts relating to Eni on his X account.
One post included an image of the former England footballer’s head superimposed onto serial killer Rose West’s body.
Her barrister Gervase de Wilde said Barton claimed she had “cynically sought to exploit her status as an alleged victim of racism and bullying”.
Mr de Wilde also told the court he “carried out a deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification”.
The lawyer continued: “The campaign amounted to an attack on multiple aspects of her life and personality.”
“Mr Barton’s campaign caused Ms Aluko enormous distress. When she sought to defend herself against Mr Barton’s conduct, and that of his followers, he criticised and attacked her for doing so.”
Mr de Wilde said Eni was worried that however she tried to stop the harassment, Barton “would exploit and manipulate it to use against her”.
The barrister continued: “Mr Barton has now accepted that his campaign against Ms Aluko amounted to harassment and that he should not have made the publications.”
Barton started his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after going through their youth system and went on to make 150 appearances for the club.
He then moved to Newcastle United in a £5.8million transfer in July 2007 before leaving for Queens Park Rangers in August 2011.
The midfielder was then put on loan to French side Marseille during the 2012-13 season before making his way to Burnley for one season – helping promote them to the Premier League.
He moved to Rangers on a two-year deal but that was ripped up after just eight games following bust-ups with team-mate Andy Halliday and manager .
He was also investigated by the Scottish FA for breaching gambling rules.
Barton made one appearance for England in 2007 – despite criticising some of his fellow players.
The footballer later attempted a management career with stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers .
Barton carried out a deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification, the court heardCredit: PA
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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