The emotional toll of Eni Aluko’s public fallout with Arsenal icon Ian Wright has reportedly left the former football star “traumatised and upset”, according to her mother, Sileola Aluko.
In an interview with MailOnline, Mrs. Aluko voiced concern for her daughter’s emotional health following the fierce backlash over Aluko’s claims that Wright was “blocking opportunities” for women in football. The high-profile clash has stirred heated reactions online and across the football community.
“This situation has affected Eni quite a lot and has left her traumatised and upset,” Ms. Aluko said. “I’m doing my best to keep her calm and just be a good mum. I’m constantly in touch with her and even met her for lunch the other day.”
She added that she’s been reminding Eni to maintain perspective amid the online criticism:
“I told her that football is not the world and that you don’t become a bad or useless person in one day. It’s been tough for her—she has a lot of strong opinions—but she will come through this. She has dealt with a lot of other difficult situations in her life.”
The elder Aluko emphasized her role as a mother in this critical moment, saying:
“The most important thing for me is that I support her and make sure she does not run into any emotional or physical problems and become unwell.”
The controversy began when Eni Aluko, 38, appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour last Wednesday. During the broadcast, she made bold claims about male dominance in football punditry, calling out Ian Wright and referencing ex-Manchester City player Joey Barton. Aluko is currently suing Barton for libel after he labeled her a “race card player” on social media in 2024.
Despite issuing a public apology to Ian Wright on Friday, the 61-year-old Arsenal legend rejected it in a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter), escalating the tension further.
The former England international, of Nigerian descent, has built a reputation as an outspoken advocate for diversity and gender equality in football. But this recent clash has not only sparked fierce debate—it has now become a personal struggle for Aluko, with her family stepping in to offer emotional support.
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