Ian Wright rejects Eni Aluko’s apology after her remarks over the former blocking opportunities in the women’s game,
Ian Wright rejects apology from Eni Aluko after punditry comments.
Wright claims he “can’t accept” Eni Aluko’s apologies and acknowledged that he was “very disappointed” by her previous remarks about his participation in women’s football.
Men like Wright “should be aware” of the opportunities they take in the women’s game, according to Aluko, who said in an interview this week that female broadcasters shouldn’t be “blocked” from having a path. During Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4, the former England forward stated
“I’ve worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster. But I think he’s aware of just how much he’s doing in the women’s game. I think he should be aware of that.”
Aluko apologised to Wright on social media on Friday after facing criticism and scrutiny for her remarks. “I sincerely apologise for the incorrect use of Ian’s name in that conversation,” she wrote on Instagram. I have a great deal of affection and respect for Ian, whom I have known and worked with for many years.”
Wright said on Instagram: “I’ve got to say I’m very disappointed by 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. So, for me, I’ve seen your apology on social media, but I can’t accept it. But I also want to move on from it.”
Wright continued: “But the thing about where the women’s game is, it can’t be about individuals like me. It has to be about the collective. And because of the past, we know that men blocked the women’s game for 50 years. Because of the past the game has serious systemic challenges and it’s going to take everyone to help fix it. So for me, I’m always going to give back to the game that’s given me so much.”