Arsenal legend Ian Wright’s 10-year-old granddaughter BANNED from football tournament leaving son Shaun fuming
THE 10-YEAR-OLD granddaughter of Arsenal legend Ian Wright has allegedly been banned from a local football tournament for being “effectively too good”.
And the decision over talented Raphaelle, has left her former England international father Shaun Wright-Phillips absolutely fuming.
Soon-to-be departing Match of the Day pundit Wright, 60, is a huge advocate of the women’s game and he will no doubt be delighted to see his grandchild following in his family’s footsteps out on the pitch.
His son Shaun, 42, starred for Manchester City, Chelsea and England during an illustrious career and won the Premier League title in 2006.
His 38-year-old brother, Wright’s other son, Bradley Wright-Phillips is also an ex-forward who played for Southampton and Charlton before enjoying great success in America’s MLS.
And the next generation of Wrights are already making their own way in the professional game with the Gunners icon’s grandson, Shaun’s 22-year-old boy D’Margio Wright-Phillips, currently starring for Stoke in the Championship.
However, another member of the family has now been told that she cannot play in an upcoming competition despite being only ten.
Raphaella, who signed a youth contract with Arsenal last year, plays alongside her friends for a team that are backed by her father Shaun.
But it features players with too many links to top professional academies, which tournament officials appear to think is unfair.
Now Wright-Phillips has hit out at that decision that says that “stronger players” are being punished for being “too good”.
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He wrote on X: “So today I was told my daughter Raphaella is NOT allowed to play with her friends in local girls tournaments or any general participation because she is effectively ‘too good’.
“She is 10 years old! She simply wants to play football with her friends. There should not be an ability restriction.
“Players in general will have all kinds of skill levels, and it’s my view any ‘stronger players’ should not be punished for this.’
“There will naturally be all variations of ability in all walks of life, and it’s important for everyone to be competitive and set bars to improve one another.
“Very disappointed to hear this BuryOfficial and MarlowFC.”
Wright-Phillips then shared images claiming they were the reasons that he had given for his girl not being able to compete in the upcoming tournament.
One was due to the team’s “Arsenal pre-academy connection” while another response from his exchange saw the ex-winger being told: “I am very sorry but we would not entertain your club entering”.
Then another exchange was shared by Wright-Phillips with tournament organisers stating that the competition was only for grassroots clubs and that Wright’s granddaughter was part of a team “made up of predominantly academy players”.