Arsenal legend Ian Wright rejected his apology after accusing him of “stopping” women’s chances in football.
Aluko filed a claim during her debut at the Women’s Hour on Radio 4 on Wednesdayshe also claimed that former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton damaged her professional career, who was filing a lawsuit for defamation after calling her a “race car truck” on social media last January.
She also said ITV continued to hire Wright to cover up the women’s game, which hindered the opportunity for female experts to enter the industry.
Aluko apologized to Wright on Friday, and the Arsenal legend has now refused in social media posts.
“I have to talk about what happened this week and what happened, I don’t want to be asked endlessly,” Wright said. “I have to say that I’m very disappointed with what Eni said, she knows how I can help her, support her publicly, and I know she’s had conversations with me and my management before.
“I’ve seen the apology on social media, but I can’t accept it, but I want to move on. For anyone watching this, I really don’t need any further social comments on this.
‘It has nothing to do with me about where the women’s game is – it has to be about the collective.
“Because of the past, we know men have locked down women’s games for 50 years, because in the past we know that the game faces serious systemic challenges that will make everyone need help fixing. So for me, I always give back to the game, which gives me a lot of stuff.
“As long as they are playing games, it will never let me bother who is playing games. If you know my story, you will know what football means to me.
“We are the country that invented modern football, so we have the responsibility to lead women’s football
“Our men are people who have banned women’s football for 50 years, so we have to hold that. I need to say to everyone who talks publicly and shows love and support, thank you. This is something I don’t take for granted.
Wright also thanked Stock forward Kayleigh McDonald, who revealed in Aluko’s comments that Arsenal’s legend has been funding her recovery after an ACL injury.
Stoke did not pay for McDonald’s treatment, and she built a GoFundMe page. The club then backtracked and according to the report, and was then told that the funds would be withdrawn.
Wright is said to have also paid the £1,700 needed for recovery, in addition to a sports lawyer to help her defend.
