Former Arsenal and England striker, Ian Wright, has publicly declined an apology from Eni Aluko. The apology came after Aluko suggested that Wright was "blocking" opportunities for female broadcasters in women's football.
Aluko made her controversial comments during an appearance on BBC’s Woman’s Hour. She described Wright as “dominating” the women’s football broadcasting space and urged him to be mindful of the limited opportunities available for women in the industry.
Former Chelsea women’s player, Eni Aluko, said:
“What we don’t want is a repeat dominance of men in the women’s game, as broadcasters, as coaches, earning more money than women when we can’t do the same in the men’s game. I’ve worked with Ian a long time and I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but he should be aware of how much space he’s taking up.”
Backlash against Aluko's remarks
The remarks drew significant backlash from fans and professionals alike. Critics pointed out that Wright has been a longstanding supporter of the women's game. It was also revealed that Wright personally contributes £1,700 per month towards rehabilitation costs for Kayleigh McDonald - a Stoke City player recovering from an ACL injury - and previously donated £15k to support training for female grassroots coaches.
In response to this criticism, Aluko issued a public apology on Thursday where she admitted her mistake in singling out Wright. She said: “Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant,” adding that it was wrong to raise his name during such discussions.
Unaccepted apology
Despite this public apology by Aliko, Ian Wright expressed his inability to accept it through an Instagram video posted on Saturday. He emphasized on collective efforts needed to grow the sport rather than focusing on individuals.
Ian Wright, Arsenal legend, said:
“I’m very disappointed about what Eni has said. She knows how I’ve helped her and supported her publicly. I’ve seen the apology on social media but I can’t accept it. I also want to move on.”
“The game has serious systemic challenges, and it’s going to take everyone to help fix it. Because of the past, because men banned women’s football for 50 years, we have a greater responsibility to support its future.”
Wright ended his message by expressing gratitude towards those who had shown him public support over the past week. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the representation of women in sports broadcasting. It underscores the importance of collective efforts to promote and grow women's football, rather than focusing on individual actions. The controversy also highlights the need for open dialogue and understanding in addressing these complex issues within the sports industry.
