Aluko Critiques Wright’s Influence on Women’s Football Opportunities

In a striking turn of events, Eni Aluko has once again directed criticism towards Arsenal legend Ian Wright, accusing him of obstructing her opportunities in the football industry. Her comments follow the Women’s Euro 2025 final, where she noted that out of six available punditry spots on BBC and ITV, two were assigned to men: Wright and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.

During an appearance on the 90s Baby Show, Aluko recounted her experience at the Women’s Lionesses final, stating, “Last year, at the Women’s Lionesses final, I sat in the stands. I was not featured on ITV for the final, while Fara Williams, who has 172 caps for England, was alongside me in the stands.”

She continued to highlight the disparity in broadcaster choices, noting, “For BBC’s coverage, the panel included Ellen White, Steph Houghton, and Nedum Onuoha. On ITV, despite having 105 caps, I was still sidelined while the panel featured Ian Wright, Emma Hayes, and Kaz Carney. This means that out of six punditry spots, two were occupied by men, leaving qualified women like Fara and myself in the stands.”

Aluko emphasized the broader implications of this trend: “If we are committed to developing women’s football, we must acknowledge that the limited opportunities are increasingly being given to men, while women remain excluded from the men’s game. We find ourselves at a standstill.”

She concluded her remarks by urging Wright to consider her perspective: “The issue I have with Ian is that, in his influential position, he should pay attention to what I am saying.”

ITV presenter Woods responded to Aluko’s allegations, defending the broadcasters’ decisions. He stated, “Caps alone do not guarantee employment or indicate the quality of a pundit. Factors such as communication skills, audience engagement, and rapport with the panel are what truly define a brilliant pundit.”

Woods further criticized Aluko’s assertion that the women’s game should be led exclusively by women, arguing, “This mindset could hinder the growth of women’s sport and punditry. We should encourage all audiences, including men and boys, to engage with women’s football. The involvement of figures like Ian Wright is crucial for expanding the sport’s reach.”

In a recent podcast episode, Aluko urged Wright to step back and allow her the opportunity to shine, describing herself as a “main character in women’s football.” She revealed her disappointment after ITV informed her that they could not extend her contract, attributing the decision to Wright’s priority status with the network. Aluko expressed her vulnerability in seeking Wright’s support during this challenging time in her career.

“I approached his agent hoping for collaboration, but after a month without progress, I sought clarification and found him dismissive of my situation,” Aluko reflected. “I had expected Wright to leverage his influence for my benefit, as I had seen him do for others in the past.”

Aluko further articulated her disappointment, stating, “In nine months, while I have been off-screen, it has become apparent that Wright has continued to advance his career without acknowledging the significance of my contributions to women’s football. I believe an ally should be willing to make sacrifices for the greater good.”

The tension between Aluko and Wright has persisted, particularly following Aluko’s previous criticism and subsequent apology, which Wright declined to accept. As of now, he has not publicly addressed Aluko’s latest comments, leaving the future of their relationship uncertain. Despite Aluko’s participation in Euro 2025, she was not assigned to cover the England matches or the final.