Ian Wright refuses Eni Aluko's apology and says 'I can't accept' after being accused

Wales Online

27-04-2025

Ian Wright refuses Eni Aluko's apology and says 'I can't accept' after being accused
Ian Wright has broken his silence after being accused of blocking opportunities for women in football by Eni Aluko, with the Arsenal legend insisting he cannot accept her apology
Ian Wright says he cannot accept Eni Aluko's apology
(Image: wrightyofficial/Instagram )
Ian Wright has addressed recent claims by Eni Aluko, in which she accused him of blocking opportunities for women in football and declared his inability to accept her apology. Aluko alleged the former Arsenal star's "dominating" presence in women's football coverage was detrimental to aspiring female pundits.
Wright responded publicly, sharing his frustration with Aluko's assertions during an appearance on Radio Four's Women's Hour. ITV's choice to feature Wright as a commentator, she suggested, limited chances for women to break into the field, while also citing that her career suffered due to Joey Barton, whom she is suing for libel.
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Aluko later expressed regret over her remarks about Wright. However, the retired Arsenal player voiced his disillusionment, explaining he had no wish to perpetuate the controversy but felt compelled to address it. "I have to talk about this week and what's going on, I don't want to endlessly be asked about it," Wright expressed.
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He recounted his support for Aluko, including public backing and personal consultations: "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."
(Image: Getty Images )
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Despite having sighted Aluko's apology on social media, Wright found it unacceptable but indicated his desire to move past the incident: "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," reports the Mirror.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of collective focus on women's football rather than individual attention: "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."
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Aluko has confessed that she was mistaken in mentioning Wright's name while discussing broader issues concerning opportunities for women. In an Instagram post, she stated: "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."