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Aluko insists she is in the Ivory Coast for the ongoing AFCON and did not "flee" England because of sexist attacks by Joey Barton.
Eni Aluko has stated that she has “not fled the country (England)” and has travelled to the Ivory Coast to work at the Africa Cup of Nations after stating earlier this week that she had been left feeling 'scared' following online attacks from Joey Barton.
Barton, 41, had made multiple sexist rants about several former female players and pundits in relation to their coverage and analysis of men's football matches in recent months.
The former Bristol Rovers manager recently aimed an attack at Aluko and Lucy Ward during their coverage of Crystal Palace's 0-0 FA Cup third-round clash against Everton. Barton claimed ITV had reached a 'new low' and then compared Aluko and Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West.
On Tuesday, Aluko posted an emotional video on her Instagram account stating that she had left the country and had been feeling 'genuinely scared' following the online attacks.
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12:40 - 17.01.2024
FOOTBALL Eni Aluko flees UK in fear of her life following sexist attacks
Eni Aluko left the UK due to severe online abuse led by Joey Barton's sexist rants, fearing for her safety.
But the 36-year-old has responded to claims that she had 'fled' the country, writing on her Instagram story on Wednesday that she had planned to travel to AFCON for work and to 'enjoy the football'.
“Apologise for ruining the juicy sensationalist headlings... but to clarify that I haven't ‘fled’ the country,"she wrote.
“I'm at the Africa Cup of Nations with TV, media and tournament organisers for work and to enjoy the football.
“I had always planned to travel. The timing couldn't be better though.”
She added: “Cote d'Ivoire is beautiful with an incredible energy amongst football fans right now! Ivory Coast vs Nigeria tomorrow! I'm Nervous.”
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12:11 - 06.01.2024
FOOTBALL Ex-Man City star sparks more controversy as he compares female pundits to notorious serial killers
Joey Barton has continued to speak out against female football pundits talking about men’s football by taking aim at Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward during an FA Cup broadcast.
In a separate story, Aluko stated that she had received messages of support and thanked those who had reached out to her, stating: “Woke up to a lot of [love]. Thank you. On mornings like this I appreciate the internet!”
She also posted a picture of a view of Abidjan on her Instagram story.
Earlier this week, Aluko had posted an emotional video on her social media accounts stating that she had 'felt under threat this week' following Barton's comments online.
Her statement still did not stop Barton from launching another attack on the football pundit following her comments on social media.
“Eni, sorry luv, you're dreadful as a pundit. Tone deaf, can't count and most importantly you know next to nothing about men's football.
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10:16 - 28.06.2023
Declan Rice: Ex-Chelsea star Aluko claims Guardiola helping Mikel Arteta with West Ham star
Eni Aluko has questioned the interest of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in West Ham United superstar and Arsenal target Declan Rice.
“You should have ran off to a desert island after your ‘Arteta phoning Pep to put in a bid’ in nonsense.
“Everyone is laughing at you. Not just me.”
It comes as Barton could now face government action over his 'dangerous and disgusting comments' with UK sports minister, Stuart Andrew, vowing to put more pressure on social media companies in following the ex-footballer's attacks.
“These are dangerous comments that open the floodgates for abuse and that's not acceptable,” he said at a Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee.
“I'm slightly wary that these sort of people want the oxygen and I don't want to fuel that.”
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16:00 - 18.01.2024
FOOTBALL AFCON 2023: Algerian fan arrested & deported for calling host nation Ivory Coast 'poor'
An Algerian supporter was arrested and subsequently deported from the Ivory Coast after filming some of the country’s poor areas while using derogatory language to describe it
Andrew added that he would be 'happy' to speak to social media companies relating to the comments, adding that Ofcom was obliged to deliver guidence under the Online Safety Act.
The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that both Aluko and Ward are “seeking legal advice” following Joey Barton's claims.
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