Eni Aluko's ex-England team-mate makes public statement on Ian Wright fallout
Former England star Steph Houghton has offered her public backing to Ian Wright as the fallout from Eni Aluko's controversial claims rumble on.
Aluko accused Wright of "blocking opportunities for women" on BBC radio - leading to both widespread criticism of her views and support for Wright. She has since apologised.
Now Houghton, who spent close to a decade as a team-mate of Aluko with England but hosts the Crossways podcast with Wright, has said praised the "superhero" Arsenal legend for his "unbelievable" work in promoting women's football.
During their most recent podcast Wright said: "It's always good to see you Steph, because you make me smile, because it's been quite a tough week."
And Houghton quickly stepped in to say: "Ian, can I just say this, and this has not been pre-empted, I think I posted on Instagram. What you have done for our game is unbelievable and you've got to take all the credit that everybody's thrown at you this last week because you are a super-hero. And I love working with you."
Wright replied: "I love you Steph. To see you come out publicly like that for me it's just nice. But I just wish... it's not about the individual in the women's game, it's just about the collective. I'm not going to go into it, but I just really appreciate the public support that I got."
Aluko's apology was also rejected by Wright. In a social media post last week he wrote: "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 fixes.
"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."
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