- Aluko has been the subject of a torrent of abuse on social media in recent months.
- Many of the attacks come from former Manchester City star Joey Barton.
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Eni Aluko presented a dark portrait of work in men’s football and stated that football in this country “is not a safe place for women.”
The former Chelsea striker insisted that there are security concerns both physically, in stadiums and on social media. And he questioned the effect it will have on the next generation of girls who are now ‘alive to football’ thanks to the success of the Lionesses.
Aluko has suffered a torrent of abuse on social media, most notably from Joey Barton. The former Manchester City midfielder has launched a series of sexist rants against a number of former players, pundits and commentators who have played a role in the coverage and analysis of men’s football in recent months.
“I say it all the time,” Aluko began. The Sports Agents Podcast. ‘Men’s football in this country is still not a safe place for women.
‘Whether you’re the wife of an average football fan who loves football or it’s me who works in professional broadcasting, it’s not a safe space. It is not a safe space to physically go to a stadium and it is not a safe space online.
Eni Aluko shared her opinion that men’s football in this country is not a safe space for women
The former Premier League footballer (above) called Aluko and commentator Lucy Ward “the Fred and Rose West of football commentary” after an FA Cup match on ITV.
The success of the Lionesses in recent years has inspired a new generation of girls to take up the game and has raised the profile of women’s football in this county.
“So when we look at the next generation of young girls who are alive in football thanks to the Lionesses and who probably want to get into football, whether it’s playing or working behind the scenes.
‘What would make them want to do that when there is casual racism, sexism and misogyny towards women at the top every day?
“I just refuse to sit back and say, ‘Oh, it’s part of the job,’ I can’t do that anymore.” For me, I’m talking to the government, how are we going to create laws so that this is not so easy?
In February, Aluko attacked social media company
Among his shocking reprimands was calling her and Lucy Ward ‘the Fred and Rose West of football commentary’ in a reference to the two infamous serial killers, while Alex Scott and England goalkeeper Mary Earps have also been targets of his publications.
He also bizarrely alleged that Aluko and his family used “dodgy money” to pay for a lavish lifestyle.
After receiving support from ITV, with whom she regularly works as an expert, Aluko revealed she had taken legal action against Barton, while claiming she left the UK because she was “really scared” for her safety following her comments.
“It’s scary how easy it is on social media to attack women,” she added. ‘Misogyny isn’t even a hate crime at the moment, but there is so much of it online.
In February, Aluko lashed out at social media company
Barton had previously and inaccurately claimed that Aluko’s family had received “questionable money.”
Aluko received support from ITV following Barton’s attack on her and Ward in January.
‘Unfortunately football is kind of the access point to a lot of these things. I think it’s the last bastion of what people consider a men-only space.
‘It has long been a space where men have been able to express themselves freely without the gaze of women and all that.
“The reality is that football has always been for everyone and now women are becoming much more a part of it, but I feel the reaction is getting worse.”