Ian Wright’s Eni Aluko ‘feelings made clear’ after public row | Football | Sport
Eni Aluko and Ian Wright have worked together on football coverage, including major tournaments (Image: Getty)
Arsenal icon Ian Wright is reportedly ‘indignant’ following Eniola Aluko’s repeated criticism of him, according to reports. On two separate occasions, Aluko, 39, has suggested Wright ought to relinquish some of his women’s football commentary positions to allow other former female professionals an opportunity.
In 2025, she claimed the former England striker had been ‘dominating’ the women’s game when it came to broadcasting opportunities. Aluko issued a public apology but Wright declined to accept it, and has subsequently chosen not to publicly acknowledge any further communication from her.
Aluko later made comparable remarks whilst also including former Manchester City defender and regular women’s football commentator Nedum Onuoha in her critique. She has since announced she is withdrawing from British television, calling it ‘a very toxic space for me.’
According to the Daily Mail, Wright feels ‘indignant’ towards Aluko but has determined ‘he will not dignify her comments with a response.’ As for Onuoha, whose commentary work encompasses the women’s Champions League for ESPN, he is said to be ‘taking the same approach despite his own private indignation.’
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The last occasion Wright addressed Aluko’s criticism directly was in April 2025, when he publicly stated he would not be accepting her apology. He said: “I have to talk about this week and what’s going on, I don’t want to endlessly be asked about it. 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 fixes. So for me, I always give back to the game, it’s given me so much.”
Ian Wright has refused to accept Eni Aluko’s apology after her recent comments (Image: Getty)
Aluko has further alleged that Wright could have done more to secure her additional opportunities at ITV, following the broadcaster’s decision to use her less frequently, which she attributes to ‘budget cuts.’ The Mail has also reported that Wright did attempt to ‘discreetly’ assist Aluko in securing further work with the broadcaster, though the ultimate decision always rested with ITV executives.
Regardless, it seems unlikely that Aluko will be appearing in a punditry studio anytime soon, given her wish to distance herself from the British television industry. In a recent interview, she remarked: “I think in the UK… it’s a very toxic space for me. And I’m fighting now to just even have an opinion.
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“I have to talk about this week and what’s going on, I don’t want to endlessly be asked about it. There is a feeling that I can’t say anything without the instant backlash that comes with the fact people have already decided they don’t like you. I’m a fighter, I’m a resilient person and I go, ‘No, I want to say my opinion’, but I don’t feel welcome. That was my point.
“You’ve got to recognise the environments you can thrive and really do your thing. I just don’t feel (that in) the UK at this moment in time. You never know what will happen in the future, but I’ll always be passionate about women’s football.”
