Joey Barton has claimed that he is being sued by Eni Aluko for causing 'extreme upset' and 'distress' to the TV pundit.
Barton has been widely condemned - even by Rishi Sunak - for his attacks on female pundits, even going as far as invoking the names of serial killers Fred and Rose West when making vindictive remarks online.
Aluko, who recently travelled to the Ivory Coast to work at the Africa Cup of Nations, said she had been 'scared' to leave her house following Barton's tirades.
The ex-England star-turned-broadcaster has been a primary target of the 41-year-old and now it appears that Aluko and her team have issued a response to Barton.
Barton took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday to reveal Instagram messages from a solicitor claiming to represent the former Chelsea striker.
Taking to social media, Barton wrote: 'Another day. Another letter from Samuel’s Solicitors.
'Eni Aluko now joining Jeremy Vine and suing me for saying she’s not very good at her job. Interesting that they both are using the same solicitors.
'What kind of legal firm sends you Instagram messages? Jokers'.
Barton attached a screenshot of a message, seemingly sent by Samuel's Solicitors on Instagram, which read: 'Mr Barton. We have today delivered a letter of claim to you on behalf of our client, Eniola Aluko, by special delivery which is due to arrive by 1pm today.
'It relates to your ongoing conduct against our client and in particular your post of 19 January 2024 which made untrue, inaccurate and defamatory allegations about her and her family and has caused her extreme upset, distress and harm to her reputation'.
MailSport has reached out to Samuel's Solicitors for comment.
The former Man City, QPR and Newcastle midfielder also shared a picture of a letter that was sent to him by the same solicitors on January 26th.
It read: 'As you will see, this has been addressed to Potter Derby, who are acting for you in the claim being brought against you by Jeremy Vine.
'At the time of writing, the enclosed letter to Potter Derby has not been sent, as we have not yet had confirmation from them that they will accept it on your behalf'.
Barton has previously exchanged verbal blows with BBC star Vine.
Barton has been intensely criticised in recent weeks for a series of sexist barbs against women, who he claims 'aren't qualified' to talk about men's football.
At the start of the month, he took aim at former Chelsea and England star Aluko and Lucy Ward, an ex-footballer turned commentator, over their coverage of the FA Cup third-round clash between Crystal Palace and Everton for ITV.
Addressing Aluko, he wrote on X: 'How is she even talking about Men's football. She can't even kick a ball properly. Your coverage of the game EFC last night, took it to a new low. Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary.'
Aluko took the moral high ground following Barton's foul-mouthed tirade against her but, shortly after, Barton wrote another another post about the pundit.
He took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to write: 'On reflection, I feel I’ve been a tad harsh on Eni Aluko by comparing her to Rose West.
'Had a bit of time to consider the impact of my words after @itvfootball big statement.
'She’s clearly in the Joseph Stalin/Pol Pot category. She’s murdered hundreds of thousands of football fans ears in the last few years. Meritocracy Rules!'
Stalin was the supreme ruler of the Soviet Union for a quarter of a century, including throughout World War II and is known for his totalitarian communist regime.
Pol Pot, meanwhile, was another communist dictator who ruled Cambodia as Prime Minister of Democratic Kampuchea between 1976 and 1979.
Barton's previous post made reference to Fred and Rose West, who murdered 12 women and young girls over the course of 20 years.
He previously boasted that he would score '100 out of 100 penalties' against Mary Earps after she won the Sports Personality of the Year Award earlier this month.
Barton also called it 'dangerous' for women to work at men's clubs due to them 'having full-blown affairs and costing people marriages'.
Campaign group Women in Football praised ITV for coming out in support of Aluko and Ward.
‘We call on all employers in the football industry to show the same support for their female employees and take all possible measures to ensure their well-being in the current epidemic of misogynistic abuse,’ they said.
‘As the leading agency driving gender equality in football we stand with all those who suffer such abuse.’
konbckmpty
1
Lol. The west is so full of sissies. Literally a bunch of affirmative action hires done not based on qualification but to fill a quota and balance the gender appearance on screen. But I love to see the whining over Joey Barton calling this out. What’s funny about this whole thing is, in so many people coming out to defend these women like white knights on horses, they prove that these women can take the criticism. The irony of trying to defend their qualification only proves they can’t defend said qualification without everyone else throwing around ‘sexism’ to shut down the conversation. There’s another group that notoriously love throwing around their special buzzword anytime they’re criticized.
Unfortunately, this is the world we live in . where inclusivity means that it is all a box, ticking exercise. As a person of colour living in England, I wouldn’t use. any card… To justify any complaints, I had, unless the person that exclusively brought my culture into it. But I am old enough to remember it being the other way completely. Therefore my logic says if people can be discriminated against what they are in the past then why shouldn’t they get opportunities for what they are in the present it’s almost karmic. I don’t agree with what Barton says. but I’d fight to the death for his right to say it. Rightly, or wrongly. Nuff sed!!!
Mr_FOR2NE
0
she's just a p**** anyway
Abatism
1
If that's what Joe wants, then, everyone working and talking about football in the media organizations should be men, same with their medics. I wonder why he's trying to bring disharmony to the beautiful game and the great nation of football.
DaniloBossy
3
he's right though, let them focus on women's football, they are not qualified to talk about Men's football yet.
Cikbikty
1
Joe barton ìs a nuiscence. i hated him the day he caused Abou Diaby's red card, in the 4 - 4 Arsenal Newcastle game in 2004 - 2005 season. he must be a racist
mukkynoobz
5
Lol. The west is so full of sissies. Literally a bunch of affirmative action hires done not based on qualification but to fill a quota and balance the gender appearance on screen. But I love to see the whining over Joey Barton calling this out. What’s funny about this whole thing is, in so many people coming out to defend these women like white knights on horses, they prove that these women can take the criticism. The irony of trying to defend their qualification only proves they can’t defend said qualification without everyone else throwing around ‘sexism’ to shut down the conversation. There’s another group that notoriously love throwing around their special buzzword anytime they’re criticized.
TheOddOne
0
Joey Barton is the worst man u will ever see
tientu
0
let him spend time attending court proceedings and will know how to shut his mouth...
He’s been in prison before
vakdimrsty
0
Joel Bayton has always been controversial. certain things don't change
Suubdlnuz
0
let him spend time attending court proceedings and will know how to shut his mouth...