Eni Aluko has sparked debate in the football world with her surprising criticisms aimed at Ian Wright, especially as the Arsenal legend has supported her in the past publicly.
On Wednesday, Aluko took aim at Wright by claiming he is ‘dominating’ screen time covering women’s football and therefore blocking females to so themselves.
Wright has been a major advocate of the women’s game and in various guises.
One of those was at the 2022 World Cup when he backed Aluko on social media after she made a slight mishap during Brazil’s last-16 clash with South Korea.
Commenting on Brazil striker Richarlison’s form, she accidentally said at full-time of ITV Sport’s coverage: ‘He [Richarlison] really has [had a big impact].
‘He’s the top scorer for Brazil over the last two years. He’s got a great record, 19 in 40 appearances, you do the math on that – that’s one goal a game, pretty much.’
Ian Wright (right) has been accused by Eni Aluko (left) of blocking opportunities for women
Aluko and Wright are frequent co-pundits, working together for ties including Women’s World Cup qualifiers in 2021 (pictured)
In 2022, Wright hit back at the critics who slammed Aluko for making a mistake live on air
The miscalculation saw many on social media use it as an opportunity to knock Aluko, but Wright defended her and hit out at her trolls in the process.
’I’ve made countless mistakes live on air,’ he quipped. The replies to this are horrible.
‘You man are so pressed by women in football that you take pure pleasure in this. Grow up.’
Wright’s passionate plea is just one of several public examples of his support for women in football.
However, the 61-year-old came under-fire from his 38-year-old colleague on Wednesday.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, Aluko said: ‘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.
‘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 believes ‘we need to make sure women are not being blocked from having a pathway’
When asked to clarify if she thinks it is wrong for Wright to be a figure at the forefront of coverage of women’s football, Aluko added: ‘I don’t know about wrong, but I think 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.
‘It’s still new, it’s still growing. There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.
‘Men need to be aware that, you know, you’re in a growing sport, a growing sport for women, and we haven’t always had these opportunities, and so it’s about the awareness and supporting other women through that pathway.’
Wright launched a podcast alongside Steph Houghton last year about the women’s game and regularly speaks about it with Kelly Cates on the BBC.
The much-loved pundit is also a regular fixture on screens covering the men’s game and sits alongside Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Jill Scott on The Overlap.
Wright has previously spoken out in support of female pundits who have suffered abuse in the past, insisting they ‘deserve’ their roles and saying he was ’embarrassed’ about vitriol sent their way.
Aluko, along with Alex Scott and Karen Carney, is among the female pundits to have been targeted.
As revealed exclusively by MailOnline on Thursday, Aluko is now facing the axe at ITV over her comments.
Aluko made 105 appearances for the Lionesses and played Chelsea and Juventus
Insiders told MailOnline that the former England international’s comments have left bosses both angry and bemused given the broadcaster’s form for sending female-heavy teams to cover major international tournaments including the Euros and the World Cup.
Her outburst has sparked internal conversations within ITV regarding her future, with senior figures seriously debating whether to continue their association with the ex-Chelsea striker.
A TV source said: ‘Aluko’s on very thin ice, the comments she made were ill-judged to say the least.
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EXCLUSIVE
Eni Aluko faces ITV AXE over accusing colleague Ian Wright of ‘blocking’ female pundits from TV work
‘ITV pride themselves on having a diverse roster for both pundits and presenters across its sports content and there is a big female influence when covering women’s football.
‘So for her to criticise the use of Wright and suggest he’s dominating the game is not only factually incorrect, it’s actually very disrespectful given how he’s helped raise the profile of women’s football.
‘Her comments have upset a lot of people and there have been serious discussions over whether she can work for the broadcaster again in the near future.’
MailOnline approached ITV, Aluko and Wright for comment.
