After managing to annoy the entire footballing world (including her bosses) with comments made about Ian Wright earlier this week, Eni Aluko has apologised to the Arsenal legend and conceded she was ‘wrong’ to accuse him of blocking opportunities for female pundits.

Taking to Instagram earlier, Aluko wrote:

‘lan Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant.

‘In my interview with Woman’s Hour this week, I was trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football – whether that’s in coaching, broadcasting or commercial spaces – and the importance of creating more space for women to thrive on and off the pitch.

‘But it was wrong for lan’s name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise. I’ve known and worked with lan for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him’.

Well, I suppose you can call that an apology. She’s sure to reiterate what her wider point was about, but regrets that Ian Wright’s name was used as an example. I mean, obviously she regrets it because being unfairly critical of one of the most popular figures in football is a surefire way to get everyone to turn on you (not that she was particularly popular with fans to begin with).

Aluko had said on Radio Four:

‘I’ve worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he’s aware of just how much he’s doing in the women’s game. I think he should be aware of that.

‘The fact of the matter is, there is a limited amount of spaces available. If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity in the men’s game for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game, it’s a free for all.

‘But that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.’

When asked to clarify if she thinks it’s wrong for Ian Wright, 61, to be at the forefront of women’s football coverage, Aluko added:

‘I don’t know about wrong, but I think we need to be conscious and we need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game.

‘It’s still new, it’s still growing. There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.

‘Men need to be aware that, you know, you’re in a growing sport, a growing sport for women, and we haven’t always had these opportunities, and so it’s about the awareness and supporting other women through that pathway.’

Well anyway, I’m sure Ian Wright will accept her apology because he’s an absolute gent like that. Maybe stick to beefing Joey Barton in the future.