Eni Aluko has broken her silence following her comments about fellow pundit Ian Wright.
The former Lionesses striker had accused Arsenal icon
Wright of blocking the path for female pundits through his support of women’s football.
He has been vocal in his support of the women’s game as a pundit in recent years, often appearing on coverage of the Lionesses.
However, Aluko told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour this week: “I’ve worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he’s aware of just how much he’s doing in the women’s game. I think he should be aware of that.
“The fact of the matter is, there is a limited amount of spaces available.
“If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity in the men’s game for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game, it’s a free for all.
“But that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.”
When asked if she thinks it is wrong for Wright to cover women’s football, she added: “I don’t know about wrong, but I think we need to be conscious and we need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game.
“It’s still new, it’s still growing. There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.”
The pair have worked together for ITV in the past, including during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Aluko has faced backlash for her comments, with the 38-year-old now issuing an apology on social media.
In a post on her Instagram story, she wrote: “Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant.
instagram / @enialukoAluko shared a snap of the pair from the 2022 World Cup to her Instagram story[/caption]
“In my interview with Woman’s Hour this week, I was trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football – whether that’s in coaching, broadcasting or commercial space – and the importance of creating more space for women to thrive on and off the pitch.
“But it was wrong for Ian’s name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise.
“I’ve known and worked with Ian for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him.”
Aluko also re-shared a post from the World Cup in Qatar which showed a snap of herself and Wright during the tournament.
At the time, she wrote in the caption: “Wisdom, honesty, leadership, happiness, inspiration. Just all the Wright stuff!
“Fully a member of the global @wrightyofficial appreciation society.”
Wright was previously a member of the BBC’s punditry line-up for the Women’s Euros in 2022.
He also had his own series of videos on YouTube during the 2023 Women’s World Cup titled ‘Wrighty’s Diary’.
He also has a Women’s Football podcast. ‘Crossways’, which he presents with Man City and England legend Steph Houghton.
