Eni Aluko backed by ITV while working at AFCON after Joey Barton attack
Eni Aluko has been backed by ITV while working at AFCON after being bombarded with online abuse in the wake of Joey Barton’s vile comments about her.
Former Bristol Rovers manager Barton has launched a bizarre and misogynistic crusade against female pundits in the men’s game. Among a host of disgusting social media posts, he described Aluko and fellow ITV broadcaster Lucy Ward as "the Fred and Rose West of football commentary”.
ITV hit back in a statement, calling out his “vindictive remarks”, which they described as “clearly contemptible and shameful”. But despite an outpouring of support for Aluko and Ward and many in the industry condemning Barton, the former England forward came under fire from trolls.
In an emotional video posted to Instagram, Aluko has now explained the impact of Barton’s unwarranted attack – and suggested she has taken legal action against the unemployed 41-year-old. She said: “Now, I’m open and honest and I’m human and I’m more than happy to admit: I’ve been scared this week.
"I’ve genuinely been scared this week. I didn’t leave my house until Friday and I’m now abroad. Because it’s really important to say that online abuse has a direct impact on your safety and how you feel and how safe you feel in real life.
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“I’ve felt under threat this week. I’ve felt like something is going to happen to me. And I don’t say that for anyone to feel sorry for me – I say that for people to understand the reality and the impact that hate speech has. The impact that racism has. The impact that sexism has. The impact that misogyny has on all of us females in the game [and] in sports broadcasting.
“That’s the real impact – and it’s not an isolated incident, this is now showing up as a culture in the game, from certain fan bases and certain people. They’re creating a culture where people don’t want to go to work, people don’t want to leave their house, people feel under threat. Obviously there’s a big impact on mental health as well.”
Joey Barton has forced Eni Aluko to flee the countryAluko went on to suggest that she has taken legal action against the former Manchester City midfielder, who has encouraged people to "lawyer up. Sue me. Get me cancelled.” Aluko said: “I’ve seen a lot of stuff mentioned this week around freedom of speech and people being entitled to their opinions and the reality is that our freedom of speech isn’t really free.
“Our speech isn’t really free and neither is our opinion, because depending on what you say, there are laws that govern that opinion and that freedom of speech. That’s not something that happened this week – that’s always been the case.
“If you come out and are racist, or sexist or misogynistic and threaten people online, there are laws for that and that govern that behaviour. It’s not free. It’s not freedom of consequences, either. There are consequences for that. And over the past week I’ve taken advice from lawyers and a course of action has now been decided upon.” The Telegraph reports that co-commentator Ward is taking legal action against Barton.
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