Ian Wright has refused to accept an apology from Eni Aluko after she criticised his involvement in women's football, stating he was “very disappointed” by her remarks. The former England striker made the comments in a social media post on Friday, responding to Aluko's earlier Instagram apology.
During a BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour interview, Aluko suggested that male pundits like Wright should be more aware of the opportunities they take in the women's game, and that female broadcasters should not be “blocked” from pathways. She later apologised, saying it was wrong to raise Wright's name.
Wright, however, said he could not accept the apology, citing Aluko's knowledge of his support and previous private conversations. He emphasised that the women's game faces “systemic challenges” that require collective effort to fix, and that the focus should not be on individuals.
The 61-year-old former Arsenal forward concluded by thanking fans for their support during an emotional week, but reiterated his disappointment. He stressed that “it can’t be about individuals like me” and called for everyone to help address historical inequalities in the sport.
