Jonathan Barnett, Gareth Bale’s famous agent and long regarded as one of the most powerful agents in international football, is being investigated by British police for allegedly raping and torturing a woman who was the subject of sexual exploitation.
In 2019, Forbes named Barnett the world’s best agent after negotiating €1.179 billion in transfers and player contracts.
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Burnett denies the charges but admits paying the woman more than $1 million to keep her quiet.
Barnett, 75, denies the charges and admitted in September 2021 to paying the woman to keep quiet after a “consensual personal relationship”, according to the Telegraph.
“When my relationship with the claimant ended, she threatened to make it public. As a result of those threats, I paid the claimant several years worth of payments.”
In the latest court documents filed by his lawyers, the super agent claims he threatened to reveal details unless he was paid.
“When the relationship with the plaintiff ended, she threatened to make it public. As a result of these threats, I made payments to the plaintiff over a number of years, ultimately paying her well over €1 million…all payments were made by me in the UK,” Barnett told the court.
The complainant claims Jonathan Barnett raped her more than 39 times.
The plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe, alleges Barnett kept her as a sex slave for six years and raped her more than 39 times.
In a civil suit filed in court, the plaintiffs accuse the former officer of transporting her from Australia to the UK in 2017 under false promises of humanitarian aid.
The woman claims she was deprived of her liberty for six years and subjected to poor conditions, including physical assault, isolation, and deprivation of water, food, and hygiene.
According to judicial sources, in July 2025, Jonatha Barnett was formally indicted on extremely serious charges including human trafficking, torture, and rape.
