Ian Wright returns to ITV to cover Lionesses for first time since Eni Aluko row as she leaves role

Scottish Sun

a day ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
IAN WRIGHT is returning to ITV to cover England women for the first time since his row with Eni Aluko.
The Arsenal legend will be back on screens for the Lionesses' Euros semi showdown against Italy tonight.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Ian Wright is returning to TV to cover England for the first time since his row with Eni Aluko
Credit: Getty
Wright is yet to appear on TV during the tournament.
But after England booked their place in the last four with a dramatic quarter-final win over Sweden on penalties, Wright has been drafted in by ITV chiefs.
The Telegraph claims he will join Emma Hayes, Karen Carney and Laura Woods on the ground in Switzerland.
And it will mark Wright's first England appearance since he was criticised by former footballer Aluko, who claimed he was blocking opportunities for women on TV.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
HOLD THE PHONE Leaked vid of Rashford's bizarre Barca unveiling sees star next to phone box
Her comments caused outrage, especially given that Wright has long been a vocal supporter of women's football.
Aluko has since apologised, although it was not accepted by Wright.
And while he will be on the box this evening, it's also reported that Aluko's time as a pundit with ITV has come to an end.
She featured in several matches earlier in the tournament, with none of them involving England.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
But Aluko's role with ITV for their Euros coverage is over and she will not feature in any of the semi-final clashes, or the final itself.
Earlier this month, she admitted she was 'wrong' over her comments about Wright.
Quick-witted Roy Keane makes brutal three-word joke about Eni Aluko row that leaves Ian Wright in stitches
Aluko also said she 'respects' his decision to not accept her apology.
She said: "I think I could have done better in responding to the question I was asked, and just keeping it as a general issue.
"I've always been the person, to be honest, to hold my hands up and say: 'Listen, I got that one wrong. That was, that was a mistake'. If I had been on the other end, I would probably have felt the same.
"Apologies are acts of respect. Apologies are a show of humility. I did a lot to try to apologise to Ian privately.
"So when you're seeing a public apology, it's actually the last resort. But it was a public forum that I spoke about him on, and I felt a public apology was important.
"I respect that [Wright's refusal to accept her apology]. I respect how he feels. It's really about my apology. That's all I can do.
"Then, whenever the person's ready to have a conversation, I'm ready to have a conversation. But I respect if it's not the right time, I totally respect that.'