Ian Wright ‘can’t accept’ Eni Aluko apology but insists he wants to move on

Ian Wright says he ‘can’t accept’ Eni Aluko’s apology after she appeared to suggest his presence risked blocking opportunities for women, but wants to move on from the controversy.

Former Arsenal and England striker Wright is a passionate advocate for women’s football and regularly presents on coverage of the England Women’s team.

Aluko, though, told BBC Radio Four’s Woman’s Hour on Wednesday that Wright needed to be aware of the “finite opportunities for women”.

A post shared by Ian Wright (@wrightyofficial)

Her comments have since come in for heavy criticism, and on Friday she issued an apology to Wright via her Instagram Story.

“Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant,” Aluko wrote.

On Saturday, Wright posted a video on his Instagram account addressing Aluko’s comments.

“I have to talk about this week and what’s going on. I don’t want to endlessly be asked about it,” Wright said.

“I’ve got to say, I’m very disappointed by 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 from it.

“For anyone watching this, I really don’t need any further social commentary directed at anyone on 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, as it has given me so much.”

Wright added: “It’s