Latest news with #Aluko


Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Eni Aluko dropped by ITV for Lionesses clash after 'traumatising' Ian Wright row
Eni Aluko has been a regular face across ITV for both their Lionesses and England men's coverage but it appears the channel have made a decision on her role for the time being Eni Aluko has been dropped by ITV for their upcoming coverage of the Lionesses after her comments about Ian Wright. The former England women's star accused Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits over recent years, comments that she immediately apologised for. The fallout between Aluko and Wright left the former's position up in the air. And it now appears that bosses have decided that she is not worth the risk at the current time. According to Mail Online, Aluko will not be part of the punditry team for the Lionesses' Nations League clash with Portugal on Friday night. Meanwhile, the channel are staying silent over whether the 38-year-old will have a role at all for this summer's European Championships. Mirror Sport understands that as of earlier this month, ITV had yet to decide upon its punditry line up for the summer. The channel will show one England men's World Cup qualifier, as well as a friendly match in June. They also have the rights to the Lionesses' 2025 Euros campaign. An insider quoted by Mail Online said: 'If ITV wanted to state their intentions and stick by Aluko, putting her on punditry duty for the Portugal match would have been a clear indication of their stance. The fact she's been sidelined does not bode well for this summer.' It is not the first time that ITV appears to have taken Wright's side in the row. A statement released last month read: 'Ian's standing in the sport is beyond question. 'As one of the UK's most respected and much-loved footballers and sporting broadcasters, with a career spanning nearly four decades, Ian is an incredible advocate, ally and brilliant broadcaster of women's football from a grassroots level as well as at the highest international competitions.' Wright has also spoken out and while he claims that he wants the incident to be consigned to the past, he was not able to accept Aluko's apology. He said: 'I've got to say I'm very disappointed by 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. So, for me, I've seen your apology on social media, but I can't accept it. But I also want to move on from it.' Elsewhere, Aluko's mum has also spoken out. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Sileola claimed that Eni had been 'traumatised' by the whole situation.


Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Eni Aluko snubbed by ITV for Lionesses' first match since Ian Wright row with pundit's future up in air
Luk away Eni Aluko snubbed by ITV for Lionesses' first match since Ian Wright row with pundit's future up in air Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENI ALUKO has reportedly been ditched by ITV for England Women's first match since she accused Ian Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits. The former Lioness star claimed in April that Wright, who works as a pundit on both men's and women's football matches, was blocking work opportunities for female pundits to work on women's football. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Eni Aluko has been snubbed by ITV for pundit duty for England Women's first game since her row with Ian Wright Credit: Getty 2 She had accused the pundit of blocking opportunities for female pundits Credit: Getty Aluko later apologised to Wright, though the ex-Arsenal ace rejected her apology. And following that exchange, ITV have not selected Aluko for punditry duty as the Lionesses face Portugal in the Nations League on Friday night. The broadcaster has selected Anita Asante and Vicky Losada for punditry duty instead. And according to the Daily Mail, the broadcaster has refused to confirm whether Aluko will be part of their coverage of the Women's European Championships. Insiders claim she may even be facing the axe completely, with one saying the choice to not select her for coverage against Portugal "does not bode well" for her. ITV have been approached for comment. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.


The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Eni Aluko snubbed by ITV for Lionesses' first match since Ian Wright row with pundit's future up in air
ENI ALUKO has reportedly been ditched by ITV for England Women's first match since she accused Ian Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits. The former Lioness star claimed in April that Wright, who works as a pundit on both men's and women's football matches, was blocking work opportunities for female pundits to work on women's football. 2 Eni Aluko has been snubbed by ITV for pundit duty for England Women's first game since her row with Ian Wright Credit: Getty 2 She had accused the pundit of blocking opportunities for female pundits Credit: Getty Aluko later apologised to Wright, though the ex-Arsenal ace rejected her apology. And following that exchange, ITV have not selected Aluko for punditry duty as the Lionesses face Portugal in the Nations League on Friday night. The broadcaster has selected Anita Asante and Vicky Losada for punditry duty instead. And according to the Daily Mail, the broadcaster has refused to confirm whether Aluko will be part of their coverage of the Women's European Championships. Insiders claim she may even be facing the axe completely, with one saying the choice to not select her for coverage against Portugal "does not bode well" for her. ITV have been approached for comment. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. Most read in Football The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at


Time of India
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Eni Aluko axed from all 3 major UEFA finals following public fallout with Ian Wright
Eni Aluko/Instagram Aluko left out of final line-ups Eni Aluko , a regular face on TNT Sports ' football coverage throughout the season, has been dropped from the broadcaster's punditry team for the three upcoming men's European finals — the UEFA Champions League , UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League. The 38-year-old former Chelsea and Juventus forward, who earned 105 caps for the Lionesses and scored 33 goals, has notably been involved in covering Chelsea's journey to the Conference League final, including matches against Panathinaikos, Noah, Bournemouth, and Copenhagen. However, TNT Sports has confirmed she will not be part of the line-up for Chelsea's final clash with Real Betis on May 28 in Wroclaw, Poland. Aluko has not appeared on match coverage since March 27, when Chelsea played Manchester City in the Women's Champions League. Her absence from TNT Sports' European final coverage was first reported by the Daily Mail. Public row with Ian Wright and its fallout Aluko's omission follows a high-profile fallout with fellow pundit and former England striker Ian Wright. At the end of April, she also stepped down from co-hosting the Women's Football Awards, a prestigious event, amid the controversy. Aluko had publicly questioned Wright's role in women's football, suggesting that men occupying positions in the women's game could limit opportunities for female broadcasters. Speaking about the issue, Aluko 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. 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.' After backlash, Aluko issued a public apology on social media, but Wright refused to accept it. He responded by saying: 'I'm very disappointed by what Eni has said. She knows how I have helped her and supported her publicly, and I know the previous conversations she's had with me and my management. I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it, but I also want to move on from it. I don't need any further social commentary directed at anyone.' Crouch also left out as TNT confirms final broadcast team Peter Crouch , another TNT regular, has also been left off the broadcaster's team for all three European finals. According to Mail Online, Crouch has not featured in European match coverage since January but has continued to contribute to Premier League broadcasts — most recently for Newcastle United's 2-0 win over Chelsea. Instead, TNT Sports has announced a refreshed line-up of pundits and commentators for the finals. For the UEFA Champions League final in Munich and the Europa League final in Bilbao, commentary will be led by Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist. The Europa Conference League final will feature commentary from Adam Summerton and Lucy Ward. Also read: Did Eni Aluko cross the line by targeting Ian Wright? Confirmed TNT sports punditry line-up for European finals: Champions League Final (Munich): Rio Ferdinand, Karen Carney, Owen Hargreaves Europa League Final (Bilbao): Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale, Glenn Hoddle, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes Europa Conference League Final (Wroclaw): Michail Antonio, Joe Cole, Steve Sidwell Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.


Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Eni Aluko left off of punditry duty for all three Uefa finals after Ian Wright row as full TNT Sports line-up revealed
One pundit is set to feature at two finals FINAL DECISION Eni Aluko left off of punditry duty for all three Uefa finals after Ian Wright row as full TNT Sports line-up revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ENI ALUKO will not feature as a pundit for any of the European finals following her public bust-up with Ian Wright. The former England Women's star insinuated some male pundits, like Wright, risked blocking opportunities for women by taking up space in women's sports. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Eni Aluko will not feature for TNT Sports in any of the three European finals Credit: PA 3 Aluko apologised to Ian Wright after insinuating he risked blocking opportunities for female pundits Credit: Alamy Wright subsequently rejected an apology Aluko offered, stating he felt upset given the support he has shown her in the past. Now Aluko has been left off punditry duty by TNT Sports, so will not feature at the Champions League final, nor the Europa League and Conference League finals. Aluko, 38, has been appeared regularly as a pundit on Conference League matches featuring her former side Chelsea. She provided analysis for matches against Panathinaikos, Noah, and Copenhagen, but will be absent for Chelsea's final clash with Real Betis. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL FOREST SHOCK Awoniyi 'in induced coma after abdominal injury that could've been fatal' Aluko has also been used by TNT Sports for Premier League and WSL matches this season, but last worked on March 27. Since then she had a fall out with Wright after suggesting there is a "finite amount of opportunities" for women and "men need to be aware of that". Aluko later said sorry after receiving a lot of backlash for her comments, but Wright said he could not accept her apology. He said: "I'm very disappointed by what Eni has said. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS "She knows how I have helped her and supported her publicly, and I know the previous conversations she's had with me and my management. "I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it, but I also want to move on from it. I don't need any further social commentary directed at anyone." Ian Wright says he 'cannot accept' Eni Aluko's apology as Arsenal legend responds over women's football punditry row TNT Sports have confirmed their punditry and commentary line-ups for all three finals, with Peter Crouch also left off the roster for all three. Instead Rio Ferdinand will appear twice, including the Champions League final where he will be joined by Karen Carney and Owen Hargreaves. The former Manchester United star will be in attendance to see the Red Devils take on Tottenham in Bilbao - ex-Spurs hero Gareth Bale will be there for TNT Sports alongside Glenn Hoddle, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes. While Michail Antonio, Joe Cole, and Steve Sidwell have been picked for the Europa Conference League final. SunSport has contacted TNT Sports for comment. TNT Sports' European finals teams Champions League: Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Milan - May 31 Presenters: Reshmin Chowdhury & Laura Woods Pundits: Karen Carney, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves Commentary: Darren Fletcher & Ally McCoist Reporter: Jules Breach Europa League: Tottenham vs Manchester United - May 21 Presenters: Jules Breach & Lynsey Hipgrave Pundits: Gareth Bale, Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Hoddle, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes Commentary: Darren Fletcher & Ally McCoist Reporter: Danny Jamieson Europa Conference League: Chelsea vs Real Betis - May 28 Presenter: Emma Dodds Pundits: Michail Antonio, Joe Cole, Steve Sidwell Commentary: Adam Summerton & Lucy Ward Reporter: Becky Ives