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The sister of a former Super Eagles star is at loggerheads with an Arsenal legend
Former England international Eni Aluko is facing a major backlash after accusing Arsenal legend Ian Wright of “dominating” coverage of women’s football and allegedly blocking opportunities for female pundits.
The comments, made during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, have sparked serious internal discussions at ITV, where Aluko works as a pundit, and her future at the network now reportedly hangs in the balance.
ITV bosses reportedly ‘angry and bemused’ at Aluko's claims
ITV insiders say Aluko's comments have left senior figures both “angry and bemused,” particularly given the network’s track record of championing female voices in football coverage.
According to reports, ITV regularly deploys female-heavy punditry teams for major tournaments like the Euros and Women’s World Cup. The notion that Ian Wright is somehow dominating or blocking female pundits was described by one insider as “not only factually incorrect, but deeply disrespectful.”
Even more puzzling is that Wright had previously supported Aluko during a tough period in her career, most notably after she was ridiculed for a mistake during the 2022 men’s World Cup.
Aluko’s remarks, according to sources close to the network, have upset many in the broadcasting world and could jeopardise her role at ITV altogether.
Aluko doubles down but faces growing criticism
Despite the growing backlash, Aluko hasn’t walked back her comments. She insisted on Woman’s Hour that while she respects Wright’s broadcasting skill, she believes he and other men should be “aware” of the limited opportunities in the women’s game.
She was quoted as saying, “I can't dominate the men’s game in the way that Ian does the women’s game.”
She later clarified that she doesn’t think it’s necessarily wrong for Wright to cover women’s football, but said male pundits need to be conscious that their presence could “block” women from entering the industry.
But many critics, including those in the wider football community, have called out the inconsistency in her claims. For now, ITV is keeping tight-lipped about Aluko’s future, but one source suggested she is on very thin ice.
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