2 weeks Ago By Daniel Hepburn
Eni Aluko, amid the controversy surrounding her comments that former Arsenal striker-turned-pundit Ian Wright is blocking opportunities for female pundits in the women’s game , has responded to the subsequent backlash. Aluko and Wright, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history , have worked alongside one another before – but the former is under the assumption that the latter’s hard work is, in fact, decreasing opportunities. The difference in respect shown between the two pundits says a lot about how well Wrighty conducts himself.
Speaking on Radio Four’s Women’s Hour, she 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,” the 38-year-old continued. “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.
" Typically lauded for being an all-crucial advocate for women’s football, ex- West Ham United and Crystal Palace marksman Wright has been regularly involved in its coverage, has hosted a podcast alongside Steph Houghton about the women’s game. Piers Morgan, perplexed by Aluko’s disregard for Wright's brilliant work in order to enhance the reputation of the women's game, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts, claiming that her 'disrespect' is, quite simply, 'shameful'. “What shameful disrespect to a man who has done more than any other male footballer to support and promote the women’s game.
Ms Aluko should focus on trying to be even 100th as good a pundit as Ian Wright – which, at the moment, she’s not.” Aluko – who is now, reportedly, ‘on thin ice’ with ITV after her recent remarks – responded to Morgan’s rebuttal. Alongside a 78-second clip of her original interview and a link to the full version in order to provide wider context to the situation, she wrote: “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 I said in the interview – Ian Wright is brilliant.” Football pundits add a bit more spice to the game - but who is the most outspoken of them all? As mentioned, Wright has gone above and beyond for the women’s game when others have shied away. In fact, in his strongest and most selfless display of support, the 33-cap, nine-goal England international has been quietly supporting Kayleigh McDonald’s ACL rehabilitation, paying £1,700-a-month towards her expenses .
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