Ian Wright has rejected Eni Aluko’s apology over comments she made about him ‘blocking’ opportunities for women in football.
However, the Arsenal legend wants to move on from the incident which made headlines across the country earlier this week.
Former England striker Aluko told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour that Wright – who is a regular pundit on women’s football – needs to be ‘aware of how much he’s doing’ as there are ‘limited spaces’ in the women’s game.
The comments were roundly panned, and Aluko went on to apologise on social media, saying it was ‘wrong’ to use Wright’s name while making a ‘broader point about limited opportunities in women’s football’.
In response, Wright uploaded a video to his 1.7 million Instagram followers, saying: “I have to talk about this week and what’s going on, I don’t want to endlessly be asked about it.
“I’ve got to say, I’m very disappointed about what Eni has said, she knows how I’ve helped her, supported her publicly, and I know the previous conversations she’s had with me and my management.
“I’ve seen the apology on social media, but I can’t accept it, but I also want to move on.
“For anyone watching this, I really don’t need any further social commentary directed on any of this.
“The thing about where the women’s game is, it isn’t about me – it has to be about the collective.
“Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women’s game for 50 years, because of the past we know the game has serious systemic challenges, and it’s going to take everyone to help fix it.
“So for me, I always give back to the game, it’s given me so much.
“It’s never bothered me about who’s playing the game, as long as they’re playing the game. if you know my story you’ll know how much football means to me.
“We are the country that invented modern football, so we have a responsibility, to lead the way in women’s football
“We men are the ones that banned women’s football for 50 years, so we have to hold that one. I need to say to everyone who has spoken about it publicly and showed love and support, I say thank you
“It’s something I do not take for granted.”
Wright also took the opportunity to thank Kayleigh McDonald of Stoke City, who revealed that the England great has been funding her recovery from ACL injury while defending the pundit.
Aluko’s earlier apology read: “Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant.
“In my interview with Woman’s Hour this week, I was trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football – whether that’s in coaching, broadcasting or commercial space – and the importance of creating more space for women to thrive on and off the pitch.
“But it was wrong for Ian’s name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise.
“I’ve known and worked with Ian for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him.”
