Racism: Nikita Parris apologizes to Eniola Aluko for supporting coach Sampson in 2017 row

England footballer, Nikita Parris, has tendered an open apology to ex-teammate, Eniola Aluko, for her lack of support in 2017 as she suffered racial discrimination from coach Mark Sampson.

Aluko, a former England striker, accused Sampson of 'bullying and discrimination' and an inquiry later ruled that the coach had made racially offensive remarks to Aluko and also Drew Spence, forcing an apology from the Football Association.

Aluko had said the FA was 'dismissive' when she first claimed Sampson told her to make sure Nigerian relatives didn't bring the Ebola virus to the Wembley friendly against Germany in November 2014.

Another allegation was that Sampson asked mixed-race player Spence if she had been arrested before and then jokingly suggested she had been arrested four times.

Parris who showed support for Sampson then has now apologised for celebrating with him.

In an open letter to Eni on her official Twitter page, she wrote: 'During the current climate and state of the world I've been doing some real reflecting internally.

'A few years ago in what was meant to be an example of solidarity I caused a division and didn't consider objectively how my actions could have affected others.

'During a very sensitive time where it would have mattered most, my actions left specific fellow professionals feeling alone and segregated.

'At the time I focused more on what I believed was showing unity when really it did nothing of the sort, it showed a lack of empathy, understanding and ignorance by singling out a voice who needed an ear to listen and a support system to help.

'Eni, I am sorry that my thoughtless actions caused you hurt, never is it in my conscious intentions to make another human feel devalued.

'I am a proud black woman, I understand I have a social responsibility to help create change through my platform.'

Sampson was sacked the day after Parris's celebration in a World Cup qualifier for 'inappropriate and unacceptable' behaviour in a previous role as Bristol Academy manager.

He, however, denied the allegations levelled against him by Aluko and that of Spence.

Daily Mail