FORMER England Women’s star Eniola Aluko has apologised for her now deleted tweets criticising people placed on the government’s furlough scheme amid the coronavirus crisis.
The 33-year-old, now sporting director at Aston Villa, was fiercely criticised for her “culture of do-nothing entitlement” remarks – including from her ex-Chelsea team-mate Bethany England.
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Former England striker Eni Aluko has apologised for tweets saying the furlough scheme has led to a ‘culture of do-nothing entitlement’Credit: PA:Press Association
The scheme sees furloughed employees receive 80 per cent of their monthly wages, up to the limit of £2,500, and was extended yesterday until October.
Aluko took to Twitter to suggest that furloughing “is needed but has created a culture of do-nothing entitlement” – attracting widespread criticism.
Responding to one Twitter user, Aluko wrote: “Well unfortunately death is a daily occurence (sic) in all parts of the world before this crisis. When people were dying in other parts of the world before this crisis, did you stop working? Probably not.”
She followed that up with: “I think you are naive to think there will be people not absolutely chuffed that they are being paid until October to not go to work at jobs they hate anyway.”
Although not responding directly to Aluko, current Blues striker England hit back by saying: “Let’s clear facts. Anyone who is on furlough has been put there not by choice. There is an unprecedented global pandemic. Thousands are DYING. These people are NOT lazy or scrounges. They are in fear for their safety/family/friends/loved ones & their income.”
She added: “May I remind people to look in the mirror and appreciate the fortunate position they are in before blaming and shaming those who work their back sides off daily and are now left in a position where they just want to keep themselves and family safe. Have a good night everyone.”
Aluko replied: “You shouldve @td me Beth. No problem though, I’ll come to you. I didnt use the word lazy or scrounges. You did.
“I’ve always supported Furlough, not sure of the benefits for ALL long term. Btw thousands die EVERYDAY in countries that don’t have furlough as an option. Perspective.”
Aluko has now deleted a number of her posts, set her Twitter account to private and said sorry for “any offence caused”.
She wrote: “Opening up my tweets this morning to say sorry for any offence caused by any of my tweets on furlough last night.
“The tweets that seem to have upset people the most have been deleted. I have no interest in being a source of further public upset.”
Aluko added: “No generalisations or widespread offence was intended. Just a personal opinion on the future economy in this crisis. This account will now be private and views, as always, remain my own.”
Aluko, England’s joint-10th most-capped player, scored 33 goals in 102 appearances for the Lionnesses and helped her country to third place at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Around 7.5 million people are now covered by the furlough scheme, costing around £14bn a month.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
