ITV release statement on row between pundits Ian Wright and Eni Aluko as ex-Lionesses star cancels presenting job
Eni Aluko announced she has stepped back from a presenting job following her row with Ian Wright.
Former England striker Aluko made headlines when she claimed that Wright may be ‘blocking’ opportunities for women in punditry and has since apologised.
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Wright responded by saying that he couldn’t accept his colleague’s apology, but insisted that he wanted to move on from the matter.
On Tuesday night, ITV released a statement saying they’ve backed the Arsenal legend over the row.
The broadcaster has rights to English football and employs both of the pundits, but has thrown its support behind Wright.
A spokesperson told The Guardian: “Ian’s standing in the sport .
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“As one of the UK’s most respected and much-loved footballers and sporting broadcasters, with a career spanning nearly four decades, Ian is an incredible advocate, ally and brilliant broadcaster of women’s football from a grassroots level as well as at the highest international competitions.”
ITV made the comments ahead of a big summer for themselves and women’s football as they have rights to the Lionesses’ World Cup qualifiers and then the European Championships - which will be live on talkSPORT.
Aluko then announced that she is stepping back from presenting the Women's Football Awards on Wednesday night alongside Jamie Carragher and Gabby Logan.
In a statement, she said: "The Women's Football Awards hold a special place in my heart. It was the first time an event of this scale was created solely to celebrate the incredible achievements in women's football. I'm so proud to have been part of it since the beginning. However, I've decided to take a step back from being part of the hosting lineup this year.
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"I don't want anything to deflect from the joy, recognition, and celebration that this event is all about. This event belongs to the players, coaches, fans, and everyone who has worked tirelessly to elevate the women's game.
"The awards will be hosted in the very capable hands of Gabby Logan and Jamie Carragher, who I know will bring their passion and energy to the stage. I love women's football deeply, I'm proud of how far we've come and I'll absolutely be back involved in the future."
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Aluko's image has also been removed from promotional material.
Wright and Aluko have previously been regulars on ITV’s women’s football coverage, but Aluko made the comments when discussing opportunities for women in women’s punditry.
She was speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour when she suggested that Wright may be taking opportunities from women in the game.
She 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.
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"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."
After the backlash to her comments, Aluko posted an apology on Instagram.
She wrote: "In my interview with Woman’s Hour this week, I was trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football - whether that’s in coaching, broadcasting or commercial space - and the importance of creating more space for women to thrive on and off the pitch.
"But it was wrong for Ian’s name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise.
"I’ve known and worked with Ian for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him."
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Wright later said he couldn’t accept the apology, and it’s not just ITV that have come to his support.
In backing the famous pundit, Stoke City women’s forward Kayleigh McDonald revealed that Wright had been funding her recovery from an ACL injury.
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