It looks like Eni Aluko has p1ssed off the wrong people (i.e. her employers) following her comments about Ian Wright blocking opportunities for female pundits by ‘dominating’ women’s sports coverage.
According to MailOnline, ITV bosses are ‘angry and bemused’ by the comments, especially as they routinely send female-heavy punditry teams to cover major international tournaments including the Euros and the World Cup.
Aluko’s criticism of the Arsenal legend was also badly received by football fans around the country, particularly because Ian Wright is one of the most lovable figures in the game and one of the biggest advocates around for women’s football.
An ITV source said: ‘Aluko’s on very thin ice, the comments she made were ill-judged to say the least.’
‘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.’
Indeed, her complaints that Ian Wright features too heavily on women’s football coverage is also a dig at ITV, who make these decisions after all. Isn’t really a great idea to go on Radio 4 and question your employer like that, is it?
Aluko had said on the programme: ‘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.’
When asked to clarify if she thinks it’s wrong for Ian Wright, 61, to be at the forefront of women’s football coverage, 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.’
Criticising the nicest guy in football who has done more for women’s football than any other pundit. Total lunacy really. Bet Joey Barton’s loving it.
