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Metro
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Eni Aluko returns to ITV for Euro 2025 as reason for Ian Wright absence revealed
Eni Aluko will return to ITV for its coverage of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 but Ian Wright is not part of the broadcaster's line-up this summer. Aluko accused Wright of 'blocking' opportunities for female broadcasters in an interview with the BBC's Woman's Hour in April, and said that the former Arsenal and England striker is 'dominating' the women's game. '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, Ian is dominating the women's game.' Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The 38-year-old subsequently issued an apology for her comments, while it emerged that Wright has been paying £1,700 a month to fund Kayleigh McDonald's rehab from an ACL injury she suffered while playing for Stoke City, while he also made a £15,000 donation towards training courses to help increase the number of female grassroots coaches. Wright refused to accept Aluko's apology and she was not part of ITV's punditry line-up for England's following fixture, a 5-0 win against Portugal at Wembley, in May. But Aluko, who scored 33 goals in 105 appearances for England during her playing career, will be one of the studio pundits for Euro 2025 alongside Karen Carney, Emma Hayes, Vicky Losada, Laura Georges, Jayne Ludlow and Caroline Weir. France vs England (July 5, 8PM) England vs Netherlands (July 9, 5PM) England vs Wales (July 13, 8PM) Wright, meanwhile, was part of ITV's line-up throughout England's qualifying campaign for Euro 2025 and was with the broadcaster for the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia. More Trending Man behind viral video of fight at Ibiza hotel pool is a pro-footballer However, the former Arsenal and England striker will be absent from ITV for Euro 2025 this summer as he is headlining a new six-part series called 'From the Ground Up', which follows the launch of the first-ever girls' under-14 team at his childhood club Ten Em Bee. 'I love football, and the girls are playing,' Wright said on the BBC's The One Show this week. 'I'll tell you what it is, it's Kelly Smith, Kelly Smith's story inspires me, drives me to want to make sure that girls have every opportunity to play that they can. 'She's the one who made me think to myself, 'right, I'm, going to really push this as far as I can', give the girls the opportunity just to play, just because they want to.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal told to 'keep an eye on Liverpool star' who could be available on a free MORE: Roy Keane tells Jill Scott to 'get out' in rant about TV pundits who 'don't love football' MORE: Alan Shearer says new Chelsea signing is 'a little rough around the edges'
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
ITV announce Euro 2025 pundits as Laura Woods leads coverage and Eni Aluko returns alongside former Chelsea manager
ITV have announced their stellar broadcasting line-up for this summer's Women's European Championships. Advertisement 4 ITV have announced their broadcasting line up for the Women's European Championships Credit: Getty 4 Coverage will be led by the likes of pundit Karen Carney and presenter Laura Woods Credit: Getty 4 Eni Aluko is also returning to the broadcaster's studio coverage Credit: PA 4 The broadcaster will be showing England's opening game against France backed by their stellar line-up Coverage for the tournament being hosted in Switzerland will be across ITV, ITVX and STV, including the tournament opener between ITV will cover England's first game on July 5 - a crunch match with France - as well as the Lionesses' final Group Stage game against home nations rival, The show will be fronted by presenters Commentary will be provided by Seb Hutchinson, Sam Matterface and Pien Meulensteen. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And they will be joined on co-commentary by Lucy Ward, Siobhan Chamberlain, Emma Byrne, and Nia Jones. Expert analysis will be provided by Karen Carney, Ex-Chelsea boss Hayes returns to ITV screens during a break from her duties as the US Women's national team manager, a role she had held since May 2024. Meanwhile, Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Latest BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK As well as England, ITV will also show Wales' match against France in Group D on July 9. The final will be broadcast on July 27 from Basel. Ella Toone breaks down in tears as Lionesses star receives message from teammate's dad ahead of Euro 2025 ITV's coverage will also include highlights packages from all games in Switzerland. Advertisement Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: 'We are proud at ITV to broadcast the UEFA Women's Euros 2025 in what we expect to be a brilliant tournament showcasing the very top footballers in Europe. "The women's game continues to grow from strength to strength, and ITV will be front and centre to provide expert coverage, analysis and thought provoking punditry with our elite broadcasting team." Fan favourite Wright will not appear in the studio for ITV and will instead be involved in a more hands-on capacity. Advertisement Wright, 61, is headlining a new six-part series called "From the Ground Up". The heartwarming docu-series sees Wrighty follows him as he helps launch the first-ever girls' under-14 team at his childhood club, Ten Em Bee. He is joined by icons like Kelly Smith on the journey, which spotlights his mission to create lasting change in grassroots girls' football, and champion access and equity in the game. Wright also did not appear in the studio during ITV's coverage of the 2023 Women's World Cup. Advertisement 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 video . Like us on Facebook at
