Since Eni Aluko criticized him, ITV has provided strong public support to Ian Wright in its first public comments. Last Wednesday, Aluko said Wright “should be aware” of the professional work he does in women’s football, which is important.

The former England and Chelsea Advance apologized on Instagram on Friday, and Wright responded to him on Saturday on the same platform, saying he would not accept it.

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Related: Ian Wright rejects Eni Aluko's apology.

The couple has been working together on ITV's experts covering England's men's and women's competitions. An ITV spokesman said: "Ian's position in the sport is unquestionable. As one of the most respected and popular football players and sports broadcasters in the UK, spanning nearly four decades of career, Ian is an incredible advocate, ally and an excellent women's football broadcaster from the grassroots and the highest international competitions in the international community."

ITV's speech will raise further questions about Aluko's future in its ranks of experts. The broadcaster’s football summer is big, with exclusive live rights to the England Men’s World Cup qualifiers in June and real-time rights with the BBC to commemorate the lionesses’ defense of the Swiss European champion in the second month.

Although ITV has not announced its tournament Wright's performance team, as he reported in the qualifiers. ITV has confirmed that Wright will be part of the FA Cup finals next month, when his former club Crystal Palace met Manchester City, which he scored 3-3 twice on the bench on the bench with a 3-3 record in the final against Manchester United.

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Aluko apologized to Wright on social media: "It was wrong to raise Ian during that conversation, and for that, I sincerely apologize. I have known and worked with Ian for many years, only love and respect for him."

Wright's Instagram post "liked" several England players, including Alessia Russo, Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood, as well as former international expert Izzy Christiansen.

"I have to say I'm very disappointed with what Eni said," Wright said. "She knows how I can help her and support her publicly. I know the conversation she has with me and my management. So for me, I saw your apology on social media, but I can't accept it. But I want to move on, too."