Jonathan Barnett (right) the Soccerex Global Convention at Manchester Central on September 8, 2015 (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
Leading former football agent Jonathan Barnett has been the subject of some shocking accusations of rape and torture and of allegedly keeping a woman as a “sex slave”.
Barnett, who retired last year, previously represented some of the biggest names in world football such as Gareth Bale, Jack Grealish, Ivan Toney, and numerous others.
He and his employers Creative Artists Agency (CAA) have strongly denied all allegations being made, as reported by the Guardian.
In a statement made through his lawyers, Barnett is quoted as saying: “The claims made in [the] complaint against me have no basis in reality and are untrue. We will vigorously defend this lawsuit through the appropriate legal process. I am looking forward to being entirely vindicated and exonerated.”
Ivan Toney, Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish
Ivan Toney, Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh, Richard Heathcote, Carl Recine/Getty Images)
What are the accusations being made against Jonathan Barnett?
While it remains to be seen what the outcome of all this will be, Barnett is facing some very serious allegations from an anonymous woman.
According to the Guardian’s report, she has accused Barnett of owning her as a “sex slave” for six years.
During this time, Barnett is alleged to have subjected her to violent and abusive behaviour, having threatened to kill her if she spoke out.
There are also claims being made that CAA helped to cover this up, with the former agent using his money and power to gain control over the woman, referred to in the complaint as Jane Doe.
Complaint in full
The Guardian quotes the complaint being made, which reads: “This is a case about institutional abuse at the highest level. This case is about how one of the world’s most powerful men in sports openly kept a sex slave for years, with the assistance of his employees, accountants, emissaries and family members, and used his money and power to maintain coercive control over her and keep her in fear for her life and the lives of her children.
“Barnett told Ms Doe that she was not allowed to speak or look at him, that he ‘owned’ her and she was now his slave, and she ‘owed him’ for the opportunity he was giving her. Barnett further told Ms Doe that, moving forward, she was to refer to him as ‘my Master’ and that she would be killed, and her children disadvantaged, if she ever spoke out. Through a series of threatening and brute force actions, Barnett then proceeded to rape Ms Doe.
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“… Realizing she was powerless against a dangerous predator, Ms Doe submitted to Barnett in order to avoid being severely beaten or even killed.”
Further details include Barnett allegedly tying her up, keeping her without food, forcing her to lick his shoes, and kicking her in the ribs until she fainted.