Nikita Paris has apologized to Annie Aluko for leading events in September 2017 that showed support for former England manager Mark Sampson.
Paris opened the scoring in the 6-0 victory over Russia and ran to hug Sampson, who was facing allegations of racism and bullying from former England striker Aluko.
An inquest in October 2017 found that Sampson had, on the balance of probability, made racially discriminatory remarks to Aluko and Chelsea midfielder Drew Spence.
An open letter? pic.twitter.com/FlGmJfydcc
— Nikita Paris (@lilkees) June 10, 2020
Paris wrote on Twitter: “I take full responsibility for my part. Annie, I’m sorry that my thoughtless actions hurt you.
“At the time I was more focused on what I believed to be a show of solidarity when in reality he did nothing but sing a song that showed a lack of compassion, understanding and ignorance. Who needed an ear to listen and a support system to help.
“I know this should have been addressed sooner and it’s not about clearing my name but acknowledging that we can’t just be people with good intentions and ‘hope’ for our mistakes.
I am a proud black women, I feel it is my social responsibility to create change through my platform. I have a responsibility to be a pillar of support in my community, the family I was born into and the family I want to build. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/fXP8yio5uN
— Nikita Paris (@lilkees) June 6, 2020
“Now I am able to understand how I have been a part of the problem that I aim to fight and end. I am a proud black woman, and I believe that through my platform I can create change. It is my social responsibility to help.”
Sampson was sacked the day after the Russia victory for ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’ behavior towards female players while in charge at Bristol City in 2014, but later won an unfair dismissal deal out of court. .
Nikita Paris has apologized to former international team-mate Eniola Aluko for supporting then England boss Mark Sampson in 2017.
More: https://t.co/lnHwDDRWty pic.twitter.com/2zllFfb3rJ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 11, 2020
The former Bristol City boss was a popular figure among the England players, with many of the squad attending the celebrations led by Paris.
Aluko was critical of the timing of her former teammates’ public expression of solidarity in November 2017. [via BBC Sport]: “I think it was naive and probably not the best thing for the players.
“Some of them may have a special relationship with Mark Sampson and they have every right to. [to celebrate with him]But I think about the sensibility of the time, and it wasn’t respectable.”