Eni Aluko’s Libel Win Over Joey Barton Sheds Light on Gender Bias in Sports Broadcasting

Legal Battle: Eni Aluko vs Joey Barton

Former England international Eni Aluko isn't just known for her footballing career. Over the past decade, she's been a mainstay on TV screens as a commentator and pundit. But all that changed in January 2024 when ex-footballer Joey Barton took to social media with a string of damaging allegations. Barton claimed Aluko was involved in financial corruption linked to her father and accused her of "using the race card" when she pushed back on other figures’ use of the government's pandemic furlough support in 2020.

The fallout was immediate and severe for Aluko. She fought back, filing a libel lawsuit against Barton, arguing his comments had crossed a line—publicly and professionally. Last week, a High Court judge gave her the initial green light. The court found that Barton’s statements could seriously harm her reputation, meeting the threshold for defamation. Barton hasn’t responded to the ruling and is reportedly considering his options for an appeal.

The Cost Beyond the Courts: Broadcasting Setbacks and Gender Bias

But a courtroom victory hasn't turned the tide for Aluko’s career. She said her TV workload has nosedived in the past 18 months—the steepest drop since she started as a pundit over a decade ago. This comes at a time when she should be at the top of her game, given her football knowledge and years of broadcast experience. Yet, Aluko's bookings and regular slots appear to have dried up, and she’s not shy about naming what she sees as the root cause.

Aluko argues this isn’t just about one legal spat—it’s about the extra hurdles women face in sports media if they challenge powerful voices or stand up for themselves. She calls out a system that, in her view, quietly punishes outspoken women while letting others get away with far worse. Her experience comes at a time when many are calling for more women, especially ex-players, to shape how football is discussed and covered in the media. Yet, Aluko says, those opportunities don't always materialize for women who refuse to stay silent.

Aluko, 38, has openly questioned why her broadcasting gigs have dried up just as she’s become more vocal. She’s left the industry—and the public—to draw their own conclusions, suggesting the downturn is no coincidence. "This is the least TV I’ve ever done since I started," she told reporters. "It’s just a fact." Her message to the industry was clear: consider what happens when women push back, and ask whether the playing field is really as level as it looks on paper.

• The case mirrors a wider debate in sports about how women’s views are received compared to men’s.
• Aluko’s legal win spotlights not just her personal battle, but the unspoken consequences for women in punditry who challenge established figures.
• As the case moves forward and Barton weighs an appeal, the football world is being forced to reckon with uncomfortable questions about reputation, accountability, and fairness—in court and on camera.