In brief
Barnett denies the accusations of rape and trafficking made by an unnamed woman over a six-year period.
In a shocking lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, prominent British sports agent Jonathan Barnett, known for representing famous footballers, is accused of raping a woman over 39 times. The plaintiff, referred to as "Jane Doe," claims that Barnett "trafficked" her from Australia to the UK in 2017 and subjected her to horrific abuse. She alleges that she was kept as a "sex slave," and faced continuous threats to her safety and that of her children.Barnett, 75, categorically denies these claims, asserting that they are baseless and false. His legal team has stated that they will robustly defend against the lawsuit, expressing confidence in his innocence.The accusations date back to the pair's initial meeting in the 1990s, which later led to a relocation to the UK. Once she arrived, Barnett allegedly told her he "owned" her, initiating a pattern of control and abuse. The lawsuit describes chilling instances of violence and degradation, including being tied up without food or water and being forced to perform degrading acts. Alongside Barnett, the complaint also targets the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), suggesting that the agency neglected to investigate payments linked to Barnett and failed to protect Doe. CAA defended itself, claiming Doe had no official connection to the agency and urging her to report her allegations to authorities.The case highlights severe issues of alleged abuse at high levels of the sports industry, with Doe's legal representatives seeking compensation on her behalf.
