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The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
What did Eni Aluko say about Ian Wright? ITV's Euro 2025 pundit controversy explained
Former England international Eni Aluko is part of ITV 's punditry team at Euro 2025, just a few weeks after issuing an apology to Ian Wright for suggesting he was blocking opportunities for women. Aluko's comments made headlines and attracted criticism in April when she told BBC Radio Four's Woman's Hour that Wright needed to 'be aware' of the 'finite opportunities for women' in the game. Former England and Arsenal striker Wright is not part of ITV's coverage of Euro 2025. In an Instagram video posted following Aluko's interview with Women's Hour, Wright said he could not accept Aluko's apology. Wright, 61, is a passionate supporter of the women's game and was a pundit for the BBC during Euro 2022 as England won the tournament on home soil. Wright was also in Australia and New Zealand for the Women's World Cup in 2023, where he took part in ITV's coverage. His absence from Switzerland comes as a surprise after being involved in coverage of recent Lionesses games. Aluko, who won 102 England caps, joins former England international Karen Carney and United States manager Emma Hayes in ITV's punditry team for the tournament. What did Eni Aluko say about Ian Wright? The former England striker appeared on Women's Hour on Wednesday 23 April and was interviewed by the presenter Clare McDonnell. The 38-year-old was first asked if she stood by her opinion, stated the previous year, that men are 'dominating' women's football broadcasting. Aluko said: 'I will never be able to usurp Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher. These are guys that have done it for a long time, they are brilliant broadcasters and rightly dominate their sport. I think the same should apply in the women's game.' McDonnell then asked Aluko whether Ian Wright was an example of a 'high-profile man' taking up space in the women's game. 'I've worked with Ian a long time and 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 there is a limited amount of space available. I can't dominate the men's game in the way that – you used Ian as an example – Ian is dominating the women's game.' Aluko was then asked if that was wrong. 'I don't know about it being wrong,' she said. 'We need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway to broadcasting in the women's game. It is still new, it is still growing. There is a very fine amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that. They need to be aware that you are in a growing sport for women and we haven't always had those opportunities.' What did Eni Aluko say when she apologised? A couple of days later, Aluko took to Instagram to clarify her comments and said it was 'wrong' for Wright's name being brought into the discussion. She wrote: 'Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women's game has been significant. '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 him for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him.' How Ian Wright responded to Eni Aluko's apology 'I have to talk about this week and what's going on. I don't want to endlessly be asked about it,' Wright said in a video posted onto Instagram. '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. 'I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it – but I also want to move on from it. For anyone watching this, I really don't need any further social commentary directed at anyone on this. 'The thing about where the women's game is, it isn't about me – it has to be about the collective. Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women's game for 50 years, because of the past we know the game has serious systemic challenges, and it's going to take everyone to help fixes. So for me, I always give back to the game, as it has given me so much.' ITV also backed Wright, with a spokesperson saying: '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.'
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Eni Aluko returns to ITV for women's Euros but no Ian Wright
Eni Aluko has been named as an ITV pundit at the Women's European Championship but Ian Wright has not. Aluko will be part of the broadcaster's team for the tournament, which starts next week, just over two months since she said Wright 'should be aware of how much he's doing in the women's game'. She later publicly apologised but Wright refused to accept it and the pair have not worked together since, with both missing England's recent Nations League games against Portugal and Spain. Wright was also not part of ITV's original punditry team for the 2023 Women's World Cup, which he attended as a fan and worked for the broadcaster – alongside Aluko – in only two live matches. It therefore remains to be seen whether he similarly attends Euro 2025 – which is being held in Switzerland – and carries out any TV work while there. He was part of the BBC's punditry team for the previous Euros three years ago. Aluko was named by ITV as part of an all-female presenting and punditry line-up for this summer's tournament that also includes Laura Woods, Emma Hayes and Karen Carney. The only men announced on its 19-strong team were commentators Sam Matterface and Seb Hutchinson. A row broke out in April over comments Aluko made during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour in which she also said: 'We need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women's game.' Afterwards, Aluko denied having 'attacked' Wright but later issued an apology on Instagram that read: '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.' Wright responded in a video post on the social media site, saying: '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. 'I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it. But I also want to move on. For anyone watching this, I really don't need any further social commentary directed on any of this. The thing about where the women's game is, it isn't about me – it has to be about the collective. 'Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women's game for 50 years, because of the past we know the game has serious systemic challenges, and it's going to take everyone to help fix it. So, for me, I always give back to the game, it's given me so much.' Wright then added a 'thank you' to 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 told Telegraph Sport. '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.' Wright has only been a pundit for one Women's Super League match in the history of the competition – this season's game between Arsenal and Liverpool in March. He has been a vocal advocate for the women's game and helped create the Ian Wright Coaching Fund with Barclays in 2023. The initiative was created to increase the number of female coaches at grass-roots level, particularly in under-represented areas, for girls playing football. Wright made a £15,000 donation and as many as 664 female coaches were funded to attend their Level One training course. Wright has a podcast, Crossways, with former England captain Steph Houghton and on it the pair have raised a number of important issues in the women's game.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Eni Aluko named in ITV's punditry line-up for Women's Euros but there is Ian Wright is NOT included - after former Lionesses accused legend of 'blocking' opportunities for women in football
Eni Aluko has been named in ITV punditry line-up for the upcoming Women's European Championships, but Ian Wright has not been included after she had accused him of 'blocking' opportunities with women in football. The broadcaster announced Aluko's inclusion in a 'sensational presenting and punditry lineup' for next month's tournament, with their coverage led by presenters Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal. ITV confirmed Aluko would be joined by fellow pundits Karen Carney, Emma Hayes, Vicky Losada, Laura Georges, Jayne Ludlow, and Caroline Weir. The broadcasters presenting and punditry team is all-female, but Seb Hutchinson and Sam Matterface will serve as commentators alongside Pien Meulensteen. They will be joined by Co-Commentators Lucy Ward, Siobhan Chamberlain, Emma Byrne, and Nia Jones. Aluko's inclusion and the absence of Wright is likely to prove a talking point following the former Lionesses star's comments about her punditry colleague back in April. Speaking on BBC Radio Four, Aluko had claimed that ITV continuing to employ Wright to cover the women's game hampered the chances of female pundits coming into the industry. '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 had said. '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. '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.' Aluko later issued an apology for her comments, which was rejected by former Arsenal and England star Wright. 'I have to talk about this week and what's going on, I don't want to endlessly be asked about it,' Wright had said on social media. '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. 'I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it, but I also want to move on. For anyone watching this, I really don't need any further social commentary directed on any of this. 'Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women's game for 50 years, because of the past we know the game has serious systemic challenges, and it's going to take everyone to help fixes. 'So for me, I always give back to the game, it's given me so much. It's never bothered me about who's playing the game, as long as they're playing the game. if you know my story you'll know how much football means to me. 'We are the country that invented modern football, so we have a responsibility, to lead the way in women's football. We men are the ones that banned women's football for 50 years, so we have to hold that one. 'I need to say to everyone who has spoken about it publicly and showed love and support, I say thank you. It's something I do not take for granted.' Neither Aluko or Wright are yet to comment on ITV's punditry line-up for the tournament. Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, promised that the broadcaster will provide 'provoking punditry' during the tournament. '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,' Sloane said.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
ITV announce Euro 2025 pundits as Laura Woods leads coverage and Eni Aluko returns alongside former Chelsea manager
There is a new role for a fan favourite this tournament Eur on ITV announce Euro 2025 pundits as Laura Woods leads coverage and Eni Aluko returns alongside former Chelsea manager Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ITV have announced their stellar broadcasting line-up for this summer's Women's European Championships. England are looking to defend the Euro 2022 crown they dramatically won at Wembley Stadium three years ago. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 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 Finland and Iceland on July 2. 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, Wales, on July 13. The show will be fronted by presenters Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal. Commentary will be provided by Seb Hutchinson, Sam Matterface and Pien Meulensteen. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL THREE 'N EASY EFL to show Saturday 3pm games as TV blackout loophole found after 65 years 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, Emma Hayes, Vicky Losada, Laura Georges, Jayne Ludlow, Eni Aluko and Caroline Weir. 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, Aluko is back after controversial comments she made about former Arsenal ace Ian Wright "blocking" pathways for women in broadcasting - a view she later apologised for. 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. 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." Sarina Wiegman's squad has had far ideal preparation after three high-profile drop-outs in the form of Millie Bright, Fran Kirby and Mary Earps just weeks before the start of the competition. Fan favourite Wright will not appear in the studio for ITV and will instead be involved in a more hands-on capacity. 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. BBC announced their own broadcast detail earlier this month. 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 Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The 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 the Women's European Championships. England are looking to defend the Euro 2022 crown they dramatically won at Wembley Stadium three years ago. 4 4 4 4 Coverage for the tournament being hosted in Switzerland will be across ITV, ITVX and STV, including the tournament opener between Finland and Iceland on July 2. ITV will cover the opener for Sarina Wiegman's squad - which was shaken after three high-profile drop-outs in the form of Millie Bright, Fran Kirby and Mary Earps just weeks before. That game will be a crunch opener against France on July 5, while the broadcaster will also show the Lionesses' final Group Stage game against home nations rival, Wales, on July 13. The coverage will be fronted by presenters Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal. Commentary will be provided by Seb Hutchinson, Sam Matterface and Pien Meulensteen. 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, Emma Hayes, Vicky Losada, Laura Georges, Jayne Ludlow, Eni Aluko and Caroline Weir. 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, Eni Aluko is also returning to TV screens after controversial comments she made about former Arsenal ace Ian Wright "blocking" pathways for women in broadcasting - an opinion she later apologised for. As well as England, ITV will also show Wales' match against France in Group D on July 9. The final will be ultimately be broadcast on July 27 from Basel. ITV's coverage of the tournament will also include highlights packages from all games in Switzerland Fan favourite Wright will not appear in the studio for ITV and will instead be involved in a more hands-on capacity. 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 his 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.
