Ian Wright rejects Eni Aluko’s apology over punditry comments

By Monsurah Olatunji

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has publicly rejected an apology from former England international Eniola Aluko after she named him while criticizing barriers women face in football punditry.

Wright, a longtime advocate for women’s football, has frequently appeared as a pundit for both the men’s and women’s game and has been vocal about gender equity in sports media.

Aluko made the remarks during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour on Wednesday, where she cited Wright as an example of male figures who had blocked opportunities for women in sports media.

The comments sparked backlash online, prompting Aluko to issue an apology via social media on Thursday, admitting it was “wrong” to single him out while discussing broader issues.

However, in a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, Wright said he would not accept the apology, expressing deep disappointment given their past relationship and history of support.

“I’ve got to say, I’m very disappointed about what Eni has said,” Wright stated.

“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 60-year-old emphasized his commitment to supporting the women’s game and highlighted the historical injustices women have faced in football, particularly the FA’s 50-year ban on women’s matches.

“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,” Wright said.

He urged that the focus remain on the collective progress of women’s football rather than personal disputes. “Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women’s game for 50 years… it’s going to take everyone to help fix it.”