Former professional footballer Joey Barton is set to face a High Court trial next year over allegations of defamation and harassment brought by former England international Eni Aluko. This follows a recent criminal conviction where Barton was found guilty on multiple counts of sending grossly offensive messages via social media.
The civil trial, scheduled for May 2026, stems from a social media campaign Barton conducted last year. Aluko alleges that two specific posts were defamatory, while dozens of others constituted a campaign of harassment. A High Court judge previously ruled in April that the posts in question carried defamatory meanings, including accusations that Aluko exploited claims of victimhood and racial bias.
This new case adds to Barton’s significant legal troubles. Just last week, a Crown Court found him guilty of sending messages intended to cause distress to Aluko, fellow broadcaster Lucy Ward, and television presenter Jeremy Vine. He was acquitted on six other similar charges.
The legal consequences for Barton are becoming increasingly substantial. He previously lost a defamation case brought by Jeremy Vine, reportedly incurring costs exceeding £500,000. Facing the prospect of another high-stakes trial and a potentially large financial penalty, Barton may seek an out-of-court settlement with Aluko.
In a statement following last week’s verdict, Aluko said the online abuse caused her significant personal distress and professional harm. She emphasized that freedom of speech does not absolve individuals from the consequences of harmful actions conducted online.
Barton, who is due to be sentenced in December for his criminal conviction, is currently under bail conditions that forbid him from publicly mentioning the complainants. Sentencing in that case could influence the trajectory of the forthcoming civil proceedings.