Eni Aluko accused of sharing 'transphobic' post as group releases statement following JK Rowling endorsement

Eni Aluko accused of sharing 'transphobic' post as group releases statement following JK Rowling endorsement

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 18/04/2024

- 14:41

Updated: 18/04/2024

- 14:42

The former Chelsea star has been criticised online for her social media actions

Eni Aluko has been accused of sharing a 'transphobic' post by Chelsea's LGBTQ supporters group after she retweeted a post from JK Rowling.

Rowling, who is famous for writing the Harry Potter books, has repeatedly clashed with people online for her views on the gender community.


The 58-year-old was recently referred to Scottish police for referring to a number of transgender women, including convicted prisoners, campaigners and celebrities, as 'men'.

Police later confirmed they would be taking no action against the British writer.

Eni Aluko JK Rowling

Eni Aluko has been criticised for retweeting a post from JK Rowling

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On Tuesday, Rowling received a message from a fan that read: "I don't think it is nice to call trans women 'men'."

Rowling then replied by saying: "I don't think it's nice to lock rapists in with female prisoners, allow mediocre males to participate in women's and girls' sport, or for women to get death and rape threats for speaking up for their rights.

"When you've stopped all that happening, we can talk 'nice.'"

Aluko then shared the post on her social media account.

Yet Chelsea Pride, the club's LGBTQI+ supporter group, has now criticised the club's former star for sharing what they perceive to be a 'transphobic' post.

"Advocating for equality necessitates rejecting all forms of discrimination, including transphobia," they said in a statement.

"Embracing equality means championing the rights and dignity of every individual without exception.

"Equality is a universal principle that applies to all, unequivocally.

"So being transphobic contradicts the principles of equality and inclusivity."

Aluko has repeatedly called for football to do more to protect women.

Speaking recently on The Sports Agents podcast, the former Chelsea star insisted men's football is still 'not safe' for women.

"I say it all the time" she said.

"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 you're me who works in professional broadcasting, it's not a safe space.

"It's not a safe space physically going to a stadium and it's not a safe space on online.

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Eni Aluko

Eni Aluko has caused outrage by retweeting a post from JK Rowling

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"So when we look at the next generation of young girls who are alive to football because of the Lionesses and who likely want to get into football, whether they play or work behind the scenes.

"What would make them want to do that when there's daily casual racism, sexism, misogyny toward the women at the top.

"I just refuse to now to sit back and go '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."

Aluko has also been involved in a row with former Manchester City star Joey Barton.

Eni Aluko

Eni Aluko has sparked controversy with her actions on social media

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She added: "It's scary how easy it is on social media to just attack women.

"Misogyny is not even a hate crime at this moment in time but there's so much online.

"Unfortunately football is a sort of access point for a lot of that. I think it's the last bastion of what people consider to be a male only space.

"It has been for a long time a space where men have been able to express themselves freely without the gaze of women and all of this stuff.

"The reality is that football has always been for everyone and now women are becoming much more part of it but I feel the backlash is getting worse."

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