Eni Aluko snubbed by ITV after Ian Wright scandal

Telegraph

6 days ago

Eni Aluko has been snubbed by ITV for the Lionesses' first match since she accused Ian Wright of 'blocking' opportunities for female pundits.
Aluko will not be part of the broadcaster's coverage for England's game with Portugal on Friday, with Anita Asante and ex-Spain midfielder Vicky Losada having been preferred as pundits.
Wright will also not be part of the coverage for the game against Portugal or the subsequent match in Spain next Tuesday, but it is understood that is because he is on holiday.
Aluko accused the Arsenal legend of 'blocking opportunities for women' in women's football broadcasting and dominating punditry during an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour.
'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,' Aluko said.
'The fact of the matter is, as I said, 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.'
The former Lionesses player later apologised to Wright, though he said he could not accept her apology.
'I've got to say, I'm very disappointed about what Eni has said, she knows how I've helped her, supported her publicly, and I know the previous conversations she's had with me and my management,' Wright said on Instagram.
'I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it. But I also want to move on.'
It is understood ITV regularly rotates its pundits for international games and that is no different for this particular match.
It is unclear whether Aluko will be part of ITV's team for the women's Euros taking place in Switzerland this summer.
Wright received overwhelming support following Aluko's comments, with several England players liking his post.
In the video, Wright also thanked Kayleigh McDonald, the former Stoke City player who told Telegraph Sport how he had been paying for her rehab, which costs £1,700 per month, for an anterior cruciate ligament injury since the start of the year.
'I wouldn't be in a great place mentally if it wasn't for Ian Wright,' McDonald said. 'I would probably still be waiting for my surgery if it wasn't for him. For him to do this for me, someone he didn't know, I think there should be more of a spotlight shone on him.'
Aluko's apology to Wright came after she denied 'attacking' him. 'Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women's game has been significant,' she wrote on Instagram.
'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 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.'