Source: Daily_Mail
Wright defends academy role after being accused of 'raping' South Africa of stars
Ian Wright has hit back at claims that his South African academy is 'raping' the country of its best talent.
But the Arsenal legend has also insisted that it is not a problem if profits are made from the project.
Sportsmail revealed that Wright and six Premier League stars - Alex Song, Mamady Sidibe, Stephen Warnock, Danny Collins, Julio Arca and Mart Poom - have helped set up the venture in Cape Town.
George Eastham
Start: Ian Wright opens the academy with George Eastham
They invested in Africa Soccer Developments, the company that formed the academy - under the umbrella of a new club called Cape United FC.
It is understood that they could make profits of up to 40 per cent on any players that are sold on in the future.
Raymond Hack, the chief executive of the South African Football Association, said: 'You can't go into a country, rape the country, and then run away. I have never heard of them, and they have certainly not been endorsed by SAFA.'
But Wright has now defended his role in the project, saying: 'I have been to the townships in Cape Town. I have looked into the eyes of these boys and I know what this opportunity means to them.
'So to be accused of raping a country and exploiting the kids is a disgusting, cheap shot. I will not stand for it.'
Gael Kakuta
Controversy: Gael Kakuta
Wright's link to the South African academy emerged after Chelsea were banned from signing players until 2011 after luring Gael Kakuta from Lens.
Hack was outraged at the profit Wright and his partners could make from the venture, although the former Arsenal star has defended the fact that it could be a money-making scheme.
'It's not like we're talking about Michael Essien or Didier Drogba here,' he said. 'We're talking about untried youngsters on the very first rung of the football ladder. They might go for £100,000 at most.
'If money is made somewhere down the line, that's fine. But that is definitely not the aim of the academy. It will take 10 to 15 years for this academy to make any kind of profit.
'And any money we do make will be invested back into the school to train more South African coaches, to improve facilities and to give more boys an education and an opportunity.
'And even if, somewhere very far down the line, someone does make a bit of money from this academy, where's the negative in that?
'The kids are still getting education, food and the opportunity to escape the crime and poverty of the townships. Is that really such a bad thing? Does that sound like anyone is being raped or exploited?
'Ask the likes of Steven Pienaar and Benni McCarthy what a difference it has made to their lives and their families by becoming a footballer.
'If even one boy from our academy makes it in the professional game and puts money back into his community, surely everyone wins. And in any case, what really is the alternative?
Ian Wright
Gunners legend: Ian Wright
'Would the chief executive of the South African FA prefer it if we shut our academy down completely and the kids were sent back, left to rot in a township, forgotten once and for all. What's the advantage in that? Who's the winner then?'
Wright added: ''I am so passionate about football in South Africa, taking boys from the townships and giving them an opportunity to escape a life of poverty and crime.
'I have put my name to the school because it gives boys an education, proper food and a bit of hope. We are not charging them to attend and I would not get involved in a project which allowed anyone to profit from the trafficking of these kids.
'There are stringent rules in place regarding their protection and no one is exploiting anyone. The chief scout of our academy is George Eastham, the former England star. He has been involved in South Africa for years and has a great reputation there.
'And how do you think that someone like Alex Song must feel when he reads this man's comments? He comes from Cameroon and knows how very fortunate he has been to get the opportunity to make it in life as a professional footballer.
'Do the people making these disgraceful accusations know how much money Alex sends back to his people in Africa? Do they know how many people rely on his support? And do they really think a highly-paid Premier League footballer at Arsenal is involved in this venture for the prospect of making a few quid years down the line?'
