Eni Aluko has reopened her public dispute with Ian Wright, asserting that she has received no broadcasting work alongside the former Arsenal striker since he declined to accept her apology nine months ago.
The former England international originally sparked controversy last April when she suggested on Radio Four’s Women’s Hour that Wright’s prominent role in women’s football coverage was creating barriers for female pundits seeking opportunities.
“We need to be conscious and we need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game,” Aluko said at the time.
Following public and private apologies that Wright refused to accept, Aluko has now taken to Instagram claiming his name continues to be “weaponised” against her.
“Unfortunately, my sincerity, my humility, was met with disrespect,” she stated.
Aluko voiced her frustration at last summer’s Women’s Euros final, where she found herself watching from the stands alongside Fara Williams despite their combined 275 international caps for England.
“Last year at the Women’s Lionesses final, I’m sat in the stands, I wasn’t on it for ITV for the final,” Aluko said on the 90s Baby Show podcast.
Eni Aluko played for the likes of Juventus and Chelsea during her football career | GETTY
She pointed out that the BBC’s panel featured Ellen White, Steph Houghton and Nedum Onuoha, while ITV selected Wright, Emma Hayes and Karen Carney.
“So out of six spots, two have gone to men, meanwhile you have got 290 (caps) sitting in the stands,” she observed.
Aluko noted she has never covered a major final and questioned why highly capped female players were overlooked for such premium broadcasting positions.
Ian Wright refused to accept Eni Aluko’s apology after her comments nine months ago
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PAShe then argued that women’s football broadcasting should be protected in the same manner as the men’s game, insisting that female pioneers deserve to benefit from the sport’s growth.
“From my perspective we didn’t go through all of that blood, sweat and tears for women to now be second place in our own sport. What are we doing?” she said.
“The women’s game should be by women, for women.
“Male allies should absolutely support that, but when it gets to the point where you are the main character of the show, we are just repeating the patriarchal stuff we have been fighting against.”
Aluko emphasised that she remains willing to engage in dialogue with Wright, having broken her silence after months of staying quiet on the matter.
Eni Aluko is a pundit for the likes of ITV and TNT Sports | GETTY
“I’m putting it out there that I’m more than open to a conversation with Ian Wright. I’ve said my piece. I’ve given more context,” she stated, adding that if such a discussion happens, “great. If it doesn’t happen, life moves on.”
The 105-cap England international stressed that her significance as a role model surpasses what any male pundit can offer to aspiring young female footballers and broadcasters.
“What I represent for young girls who want to be footballers, who want to be broadcasters, is way more than Ian Wright represents,” Aluko said, clarifying that her concerns extend beyond Wright personally to any man occupying premium women’s football broadcasting roles.
Wright is yet to issue a response.
