Eni Aluko Announces Break from UK Broadcasting Over 'Toxic' Environment
Former England international Eni Aluko has declared she will distance herself from broadcasting in the United Kingdom, stating the professional landscape has become "very toxic" for her personally. The 38-year-old former Lioness, however, has not completely ruled out a potential return to British media in the future.
Reignited Feud with Ian Wright Sparks Controversy
Aluko has found herself back in the headlines after reiterating her view that male pundits are obstructing opportunities within women's football coverage. These comments have reignited a longstanding public dispute with Arsenal legend Ian Wright. Despite issuing an apology for her initial statements last April, Aluko has reopened the conflict, also targeting former footballer Nedum Onuoha during an appearance on the 90s Baby Show podcast.
Her frustration appears to stem from the punditry lineup for last summer's Women's Euros final. Aluko noted that Wright and Onuoha occupied two of the six main pundit positions across ITV and the BBC broadcasts, while she and fellow England legend Fara Williams, who collectively hold nearly 300 caps, were not involved in the final coverage.
In a further escalation, Aluko claimed that Wright failed to support her during "the most difficult time in my career" when ITV decided not to renew her punditry contract. She alleged she sought Wright's influence to help retain her role but was met with dismissal.
'I Don't Feel Welcome' - Aluko's talkSPORT Declaration
The situation culminated in a tense appearance on talkSPORT with hosts Jim White and Simon Jordan. At the conclusion of the segment, Aluko suggested her broadcasting career in Britain might be over.
"I think in the UK… it's a very toxic space for me. And I'm fighting now to just even have an opinion," Aluko explained. "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."
She elaborated on her decision to step back: "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."
Heated Exchange with Simon Jordan
The talkSPORT interview grew particularly contentious during exchanges with Simon Jordan, who questioned Aluko's punditry style and suggested a sense of entitlement.
"As far as expertise is concerned, when I listen to her as a pundit in the times that I've listened to her, I don't think that she's particularly enlightening or illuminating or engaging or charismatic, or sometimes comes across particularly likable," Jordan stated.
He later added: "The language that you use, Eni, is to me steeped in a sense of entitlement. I mean, the sheer weight of the entitlement that you seem to believe that you have would re-sink the Titanic." Jordan argued that her broadcasting future would be determined by her value to networks, implying a lack of bookings should prompt self-reflection.
Aluko countered, clarifying that she had proactively removed herself from consideration. "The reason people aren't booking me is because I've taken myself out the firing line," she told Jordan. "My last conversation with ITV was, I'm taking a break from broadcasting... I'd already decided, I'm taking a break from this environment. This is no longer something that I think is serving."
Core Argument: 'Gatekeeping' Women's Football
Central to Aluko's recent commentary is her firm belief that women's football should be primarily presented by women. She expressed this view on the 90s Baby Show podcast, stating "the women's game should be by women, for women," with male allies playing a supportive rather than leading role.
This perspective drew a pointed public response from ITV presenter Laura Woods. On social media platform X, Woods argued that such an approach was damaging and regressive.
"'The women's game should be by women for women,' is one of the most damaging phrases I've heard. It will not only drag women's sport backwards, it will drag women's punditry in all forms of the game backwards," Woods wrote. "If you want to grow something, you don't gate keep it."
In response, Aluko provided a statement to Daily Mail Sport defending her position: "I believe that women's football should prioritise women as the faces of the sport - it's as simple as that. I think women should be the dominant force in the women's game in the same way that men are the dominant force in the men's game."
Broader Context and Unresolved Conflict
Aluko has highlighted a perceived imbalance, noting that while male pundits like Wright and Onuoha feature prominently in women's football finals, she has never been offered a punditry role for a major men's final in her 11-year broadcasting career. She argues this creates a one-way street where opportunities in the women's game are taken by men, while female pundits remain excluded from equivalent roles in men's football.
The fallout with Ian Wright remains unresolved. Aluko claims that after her public and private apology nine months ago, Wright's refusal to accept it led to further public criticism against her. She stated she remains open to a conversation with Wright but is prepared to move on regardless.
As the debate continues, Eni Aluko's temporary departure from UK broadcasting marks a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about representation, opportunity, and the environment within sports media.
