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Ian Wright reveals he split penis of Steve McMahon as revenge for England bust-up

Former Arsenal star says he had hard man midfielder in his sights after bullying storm on international duty

IAN WRIGHT has revealed how he split the penis of hard-man midfielder Steve McMahon as revenge for a bust-up on England duty.

McMahon needed stitches on his manhood after a raking challenge from Wright during a match between Arsenal and Manchester City.

 Ian Wright says he can never forget the way he was treeted by Steve McMahon when he was called up to the England squad for the first time
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Ian Wright says he can never forget the way he was treeted by Steve McMahon when he was called up to the England squad for the first timeCredit: Action Images

And the ex-Gunners striker admits he always held a grudge against the tough-guy midfielder after the pair clashed on his first day training with the England set-up.

Writing in his new autobiography, A Life in Football, Wright said: "Getting the call that told me, 'You’re in the England squad' was surreal.

 Ian Wright celebrates helping England qualify for the 1998 World Cup - but he felt bullied by Steve McMahon when he first reported for international duty
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Ian Wright celebrates helping England qualify for the 1998 World Cup - but he felt bullied by Steve McMahon when he first reported for international dutyCredit: Getty Images

"Five years previously I’d been playing Sunday morning football and working every day.

"Now I was being considered as one of the best couple of dozen English players.

"The only cloud in that sky was Steve McMahon — he was really horrible to me on that first day.

"We were playing a game where if you lose the ball you have to go in the middle and chase it.

"I lost the ball quite a few times because I was so nervous. McMahon really laid into me, loudly saying things like: “For f***’s sake, who are these players?”

 Steve McMahon made his biggest impact playing for Liverpool but had joined Manchester City by the time Ian Wright caught up with him on the pitch
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Steve McMahon made his biggest impact playing for Liverpool but had joined Manchester City by the time Ian Wright caught up with him on the pitchCredit: Getty Images
 Steve McMahon taunted Ian Wright on his first day training with England
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Steve McMahon taunted Ian Wright on his first day training with EnglandCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Ian Wright went from non-league football to the England squad but felt Steve McMahon showed him a lack of respect when he first reported for international duty
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Ian Wright went from non-league football to the England squad but felt Steve McMahon showed him a lack of respect when he first reported for international dutyCredit: Getty Images Europe

"It was just bullying, plain and simple. It was something I never really forgot.

"I don’t think he did either, because a few years later when I was at the peak of my powers at Arsenal and he was with Manchester City playing against us at Highbury, he had this look about him that made me think if he gets an opportunity he’s going to try and do me.

"Sure enough, we went in hard for a challenge. My foot went over, skimmed up his leg and gone bang into his groin. One of my studs has slit his p**** all the way down!

 Ian Wright has revealed all in his new autobiography, My Life in Football
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Ian Wright has revealed all in his new autobiography, My Life in Football

"After the game, when he was in the treatment room getting himself stitched up, he called me in and said: “Jesus Christ, Wrighty! Look what you’ve f***ing done!”

"Of course I was telling him how sorry I was but all the time I’m thinking: “Good!”

"I didn’t do it on purpose — there are other ways of getting your own back — but I won’t pretend I wasn’t glad it happened.

"Years later he told me that for a while every time he got aroused or got any type of sensation it would start hurting and he would think of me.

"Even then I thought: “Serves you right for being such a w***er.”"

A Life in Football: My Autobiography by Ian Wright is published by Constable on September 22 at £18.99


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