Eni Aluko APOLOGISES to Ian Wright: Former footballer admits she was ‘wrong’ to accuse Arsenal legend of ‘blocking’ pathway for female pundits in shock attack

Eni Aluko has issued a passionate apology to Ian Wright after facing backlash for claiming he was blocking opportunities for female pundits by ‘dominating’ women’s football coverage.

Aluko’s views on Wright were made during an appearance on Radio Four’s Women’s Hour on Wednesday, in which she also claimed her punditry career had been damaged by ex-Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton, who she’s suing for libel, after he dubbed her a ‘race card player’ on social media in January last year.

She had also said that ITV continuing to employ Wright to cover the women’s game hampered the chances of female pundits coming into the industry.

Taking to Instagram on Friday morning, Aluko wrote: ‘lan Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant. 

‘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 spaces – and the importance of creating more space for women to thrive on and off the pitch.

‘But it was wrong for lan’s name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise. I’ve known and worked with lan for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him’.

Eni Aluko apologised to Ian Wright after claiming he was blocking opportunities for pundits

Aluko (middle) made the comments about Wright (right) in a radio interview earlier this week 

The former England star took to Instagram to issue a lengthy apology to co-pundit Wright

During her appearance on the Radio Four show, Aluko was asked about the presence of male pundits within the women’s game and, specifically, Ian Wright. 

Aluko, who won 105 England caps, had said: ‘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 to clarify if she thinks it is wrong for Wright to be covering women’s football, Aluko 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.

‘Men need to be aware that, you know, you’re in a growing sport, a growing sport for women, and we haven’t always had these opportunities, and so it’s about the awareness and supporting other women through that pathway.’

She later clarified her comments on Instagram as she posted on her story: ‘I’m sharing this full episode here again so people can actually listen to everything I said with full context. 

‘Contrary to clickbait media headlines no one was “attacked” or “accused” during this interview. There are lots of examples of men in women’s sport. Ian Wright is one. And as I said in the interview – Ian Wright is brilliant.’

Wright (pictured with Aluko in 2023) has previously defended her after she was trolled online

Aluko’s comments jarred with some fans given Wright is a big advocate of the women’s game

Mail Sport then reported on Thursday how Aluko faces potentially being axed by ITV following her comments. 

Insiders said the former England international’s views have left bosses both angry and bemused given the broadcaster’s form for sending female-heavy teams to cover major international tournaments including the Euros and the World Cup.

Her outburst has sparked internal conversations within ITV regarding her future, with senior figures seriously debating whether to continue their association with the ex-Chelsea striker.

A TV source said: ‘Aluko’s on very thin ice, the comments she made were ill-judged to say the least.’