Serious Allegations Against Soccer Agent Jonathan Barnett
A civil lawsuit filed in a California district court has brought serious allegations against prominent soccer agent Jonathan Barnett, accusing him of rape, torture, and human trafficking. The suit, dated earlier this week, identifies the plaintiff as “Jane Doe,” a pseudonym for the Australian woman who claims to have endured horrific abuse at the hands of Barnett over a six-year span.
Details of the Complaint
The complaint details that Barnett, 75 years old, allegedly raped the woman more than 39 times following her supposed trafficking from Australia to the United Kingdom in 2017. Furthermore, it asserts that he kept her as a “sex slave,” subjecting her to cruel treatment during that period until 2023.
In addition to Barnett, his former employer, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), has been named in the lawsuit, which states that Barnett initially met the woman in the 1990s through a professional sports connection. The two re-established contact in 2017, which eventually led to Barnett allegedly ensnaring her into a sex trafficking scheme under the guise of offering her a job at his sports agency, CAA Stellar.
CAA’s Response
A spokesperson for CAA has publicly disputed the claims, clarifying that the woman has never been associated with CAA or its affiliates in any professional capacity, asserting that “Ms. Doe has never been an employee, consultant, or contractor of CAA, ICM, or Stellar.” They also noted that Barnett had exited Stellar in February 2024.
Allegations of Abuse
The allegations further assert that upon relocating to London that same year with her teenage children, with Barnett covering her moving expenses as part of an employment deal, the woman was immediately assaulted by Barnett in a hotel room. It is reported that he proclaimed ownership over her, issuing threats against her life should she speak out.
The lawsuit paints a grim picture of Barnett’s alleged behavior, including imposing disturbing rules such as demanding she refer to him as “master,” as well as acts of physical violence, including being restrained for extended periods and deprived of basic necessities like food and water. The allegations suggest that the woman was not only subjected to severe torture in multiple locations across the globe—including Los Angeles—but was also coerced into finding more victims for Barnett.
Systemic Abuse in the Sports Industry
This lawsuit highlights what it describes as systemic abuse associated with one of the sports industry’s most influential figures. It claims Barnett leveraged his considerable power and financial resources to exert control over the woman, instilling fear for her survival and the safety of her children.
Barnett’s Career and Influence
Barnett is well-known in the soccer world, having built a career representing top names in sports, including Gareth Bale, Jack Grealish, and Ashley Cole. His agency, Stellar Group, was sold to ICM Partners and later came under CAA’s umbrella. Notably, Barnett played a key role in facilitating Bale’s record transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid in 2013, cementing his status as a leading figure in soccer management. Currently, CAA Stellar represents numerous prominent soccer players, emphasizing the significant standing and influence Barnett held within the industry before his retirement last year.
