Ian Wright's 10-year-old granddaughter is BANNED from a child tournament'

Ian Wright's 10-year-old granddaughter has reportedly been denied the chance to play in a local football tournament for being 'effectively too good' as revealed by her unimpressed father and former Man City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Arsenal legend, Wright, has been a big advocate for the progression of the women's game, being involved in major coverage of the England women's team, and his grandchild, Raphaelle, is already showing promise as a youngster.

However, despite being just 10, the youngster has been told she can't play in a competition with her friends because their team, backed by Wright-Phillips, features players with too many links to top professional academies.

Raphaelle signed a youth contract with the Gunners last year and tournament officials in an upcoming tournament have reportedly refused to let the child team play and Wright-Phillips believes 'stronger players' are being punished for being 'too good'.

Posting on X, the 42-year-old father, 'fumed: 'So today I was told my daughter Raphaelle 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,' he added.

Wright-Phillips formerly a Premier League player for Manchester City, Chelsea, and Queen Park Rangers, is supporting