Chelsea boss Emma Hayes will offer Eni Aluko private support after Joey Barton attack
Current Chelsea and future United States Women's National Team boss Emma Hayes has lent her support to Eni Aluko after she came under attack from Joey Barton
Emma Hayes insists she will offer Eni Aluko private support - rather than give publicity to those targeting the football pundit with sexist abuse.
Ex-England and Chelsea striker Aluko admitted she is scared to leave her house after more vile social media attacks on her ability, as a woman, to analyse the men’s game. Asked about the online video featuring sacked Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton slamming Aluko, Chelsea supremo Hayes said: “I haven’t watched it.
“But I can only imagine what she's been through in the last couple of weeks. I’ll text Eni privately and speak with her privately to see how she's doing. But I don't want to give it wind and energy by commenting.”
READ MORE: Carl Froch claims Joey Barton is 'dead right' about female football pundits
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Not that Hayes, who will become USA boss in June, held back on English football’s misogynistic element. She added: “We live in a more sexist society in England when it comes to football because it’s been long-established - with women banned from the game for a long period.
“Think about things in the last 10 years in this country, from Brexit to our populism to our division in politics - this is another moment that's escalated because social media creates such divide in such a vitriolic way.”
Hayes was confirmed as the new USAWNT boss in November but still has the 2023-24 WSL to finish with Chelsea first. The Blues are top of the tree after eight wins from their opening ten games.
The west Londoners are back in action on Sunday when they host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Victory would put them three points clear of Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea are looking to make it five WSL titles in a row, having last failed to win the women's top-flight in 2019. The Blues are well on their way to doing that and giving Hayes the perfect leaving present in the process.