Eni Aluko reveals she has suffered racist abuse after comments on the furlough scheme

Former England star Eni Aluko reveals she has suffered racist abuse online after controversial comments on the government’s furlough scheme – claiming it perpetuated ‘culture of do-nothing entitlement’ – and her FAMILY have also been targeted

  • The ex-England and Chelsea star apologised for her divisive opinion this week 
  • Aluko had claimed the scheme promoted a culture of ‘do-nothing entitlement’ 
  • Her posts were greeted with dismay from supporters and former team-mates 
  • But Aluko has now revealed the extent of shocking racist abuse suffered online 

Eni Aluko has revealed she has been the subject of racist abuse and her family have also been targeted after her controversial opinion on the government’s furlough scheme generated ire online.

The former England and Chelsea star apologised earlier this week after posting her thoughts about the national job retention scheme on Twitter.

But Aluko has once again returned to social media to reveal that, since her divisive remarks, she has received abuse – with vile comments also directed towards her family members.

Eni Aluko says she has been targeted by racist abuse after comments on the furlough scheme

The 33-year-old’s initial posts were greeted with dismay from fans and old team-mates, after Reading became the first club in women’s football to furlough their players on April 28. Others could also follow suit.

Her comments read: ‘As expected, the same people baffled about what returning to work means are crystal clear and tweeting with joy with the extension of furlough to October. 

‘Furlough is needed but has perpetuated a culture of do-nothing entitlement.’ 

Aluko, who earned 102 caps for England, clarified that she was expressing an opinion on the potential future of the economy after the coronavirus pandemic – and then locked her Twitter account.

Aluko had claimed the job retention scheme promotes a culture of 'do-nothing entitlement'

Aluko had claimed the job retention scheme promotes a culture of ‘do-nothing entitlement’

However, a lengthy thread posted on Sunday evening outlines the extent of the abuse she has suffered since.

‘Tweeps, so we are going have to talk about that F-word again,’ Aluko wrote on her locked Twitter account. 

WHAT DOES FURLOUGH MEAN?

When an employee is placed on furlough they are temporarily put on a leave of absence and not paid, although they remain on the payroll, meaning that they do not lose their job.

This could be because there is no work for these employees, or that the company is not able to afford to pay them, because of the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

In the United Kingdom, the Government is offering to pay 80 per cent of a furloughed employee’s wages, up to £2,500 per month, until they are able to resume their job full time.

‘Despite my public apology about causing offence and misunderstanding, the last 3 days I have received abuse, racism, abuse to my family and people finding phone numbers of my family to send further messages.

‘Now, I will say this one last time. My tweet was referring to other ‘tweets’ by SOME people taking advantage of the furlough system and bragging about it on twitter. At NO point did I mention Brits or all people on furlough or the entire nation. Let’s get that very clear.

‘None of my tweets were racist, sexist, homophobic, contained profanities or were abusive. At worst it was mis-worded in a hurry out of annoyance. Which I have apologised for and deleted. But I’ll be damned if as a result I accept my family receiving further abuse.

‘If you remain offended, it is your choice. I can’t help you. I am not looking for sympathy. I encourage you NOW to unfollow/block/mute my account if you do not like what you see. No problem in the slightest.

‘I accept as a high profile person the position comes with critics and dislike. No problem. Success comes with opposition However I’ll reiterate that some high profile people have recently taken their own lives as a result of online abuse and trolls. It starts here on Twitter.

And the former England star took to social media to hit out at the abuse she has since received

And the former England star took to social media to hit out at the abuse she has since received

‘I have had fathers with daughters in profile pics go out of their way to message me the most horrendous things. If your daughters received such disgusting words online would you be happy???? Think about it.

‘Again, feel free to go back to my tweets from 17-20 March endorsing/applauding the economic safety net furlough brings for hard working people in UK during this pandemic. I have family and friends in the same boat. I am with you, and we are all in this together.

‘This is already a difficult time. We, including me, need to be conscious of spreading encouragement, love, support not negativity and hate. Easy to write #BeKind but let’s all try and live it in our actions.

‘Wishing you all positivity, support, encouragement and strength whilst we navigate these unprecedented times.’