Ian Wright has revealed he’s “disappointed” in Eni Aluko and refuses to accept the former footballer’s apology. Aluko had accused Wright of “dominating” women’s football coverage, claiming he was hindering opportunities for female pundits.
Speaking in a passionate video message posted to his Instagram page, Wright said: “I have to talk about this week and what’s gone on. I don’t want to be aimlessly be asked about it. I’ve got to say I’m very disappointed in what Eni has said. She knows how I’ve helped her and supported her, publicly. I know the conversations she’s had with me and my management.”
Going on to address Aluko’s apology, he added: “For me, I’ve seen the apology on social media, but I can’t accept it… the thing about where the women’s game is, it can’t be about individuals like me, it has to be about the collective. Because of the past, the game has serious systemic challenges and it’s going to take everyone to fix it.”
Apologising for her previous comments, Aluko posted on Instagram earlier this week: “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 spaces – 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.”
Aluko had made reference to the fact that Wright was a regular face on women’s football broadcasts, saying in an interview with BBC Radio Four’s Woman’s Hour: “I think the same should apply in the women’s game. I’ve worked with Ian a long time and 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. There is a limited amount of space available. I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that – you know, you used Ian as an example – Ian is dominating the women’s game. We need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway to broadcasting in the women’s game. It is still new, it is still growing. There is a very fine amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.”
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