Controversy in Women’s Football Commentary: Aluko vs. Wright

omidbasir- In April 2025, Eni Aluko ignited a contentious debate by asserting to former England striker Ian Wright that he should be mindful of his influence in the women’s game. Aluko contended that Wright’s visibility complicates the efforts of female pundits striving to enter the industry.

Although Aluko has since issued an apology, Wright has not accepted her viewpoint, with many supporting the Gunners legend. Aluko has continued to vocalize her concerns, prompting commentator Woods to respond to remarks she believes are unhelpful.

In a series of social media posts, Aluko stated: “Caps don’t guarantee automatic work, nor do they define a great pundit. Effective communication, thorough research, audience engagement, likability, and chemistry with your panel are what truly make a brilliant pundit.

“The phrase ‘the women’s game should be by women for women’ is among the most detrimental I have encountered. It risks regressing women’s sports and commentary across all formats of the game.

“To foster growth, one should not gatekeep. We aim to encourage both young boys and men to engage with women’s football, not solely young girls and women. When figures like Ian Wright demonstrate their serious commitment, it sets a precedent for others to follow. This is how a sport flourishes.”

Aluko collaborated with Woods as part of ITV’s coverage team during the Lionesses’ triumphant European Championship title defense in 2025. Notably, she was absent from the final, where Wright shared the screen with Karen Carney and Emma Hayes.

Reflecting on her experiences, Aluko recounted during an appearance on the ‘90s Baby Show’: “At last year’s Women’s Lionesses final, I found myself in the stands, not on ITV’s roster. Meanwhile, Farah Williams, who boasts 170 caps for England, sat beside me. Both ITV and BBC held broadcasting rights, yet on BBC, the main panel featured Ellen White, Steph Houghton, and Nedum Onuoha. No disrespect to Onuoha, but he isn’t known for his international appearances. In contrast, ITV’s panel included Ian Wright, Emma Hayes, and Karen Carney.

“Out of six panel spots, two were held by men, while 290 caps were sidelined in the stands. It’s shocking that women with significant experience were not featured in a prominent final role. I cannot recall any female pundit who has covered a men’s major final. We must address this discrepancy.”

Aluko further emphasized, “From my perspective, we did not endure trials in the past for women to now find themselves in secondary roles within our own sport. The narrative should center around women, supported by male allies, but when men dominate the spotlight, we risk perpetuating the patriarchal structures we’ve fought against.

“If that offends anyone, so be it. I have always championed women’s football, advocating for it even when it was unrecognized. Now that we are witnessing success, it’s imperative that women take the lead.”

She expressed frustration over being overlooked for significant roles in the men’s game, stating, “The limited chances in women’s football are often claimed by men, while we find it challenging to infiltrate the men’s arena. My opportunities to commentate on finals are restricted to the women’s events, and now even those are slipping away.

“What I symbolize for aspiring female athletes and broadcasters holds far greater significance than what Ian Wright represents. This isn’t a critique of Wright personally; it could be any man in his position. It’s critical that we remain vigilant about access to elite opportunities. Ian, in particular, should be attuned to my perspective.”

Aluko has alleged that she has received fewer opportunities following her remarks about Wright. The next major tournament in women’s football is the World Cup in 2027, set to take place in Brazil, while domestic and continental competitions remain active, with exciting WSL and Champions League title races unfolding in the 2025-26 season.