Former Lionesses star, Eni Aluko, is reportedly on the brink of losing her job as a football pundit with ITV. This comes after she accused Arsenal legend Ian Wright of 'blocking' opportunities for female pundits and dominating the broadcasting of women's football.
Aluko's accusations against Wright have left fans and ITV bosses surprised and confused. As an Arsenal legend, Wright has been a significant advocate for women's football. He even supported Aluko in 2022 when she faced criticism following a broadcast slip-up during the World Cup in Qatar.
However, earlier this week, Aluko claimed that Wright was obstructing the pathway for female pundits in sports broadcasting. This accusation has not only stirred controversy but also potentially jeopardized her career as a pundit with ITV.
Former Lionesses star, Eni 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."
Reaction from ITV Bosses
According to reports by The Daily Mail, these comments have left top management at ITV 'angry and bemused'. There are suggestions that Aluko could face dismissal due to these allegations against Wright.
Aluko is no stranger to high-level football having previously played for Chelsea, Birmingham City, and Juventus before transitioning into punditry. However, her recent comments may put her future career at risk.
Another controversy
In addition to accusing Ian Wright of blocking opportunities for women in sports broadcasting, Aluko also called out former Stoke City star Joey Barton during an interview with BBC Radio Four. She claimed that Barton had hampered her punditry career by labeling her as a 'race card player' on social media back in January last year.
This accusation adds another layer of complexity to the situation surrounding Aluko’s potential dismissal from ITV. The consequences of these controversies could be severe for Eni Aluko’s future as a sports pundit. If ITV decides to drop her, it would be a significant setback for her career, especially as ITV is the broadcaster for the 2025 Women's European Championship.
Aluko's accusations against Ian Wright and Joey Barton have stirred up controversy and potentially jeopardized her career in sports broadcasting. The situation remains uncertain as fans and pundits alike wait to see how ITV will respond to these allegations.
