Eni Aluko, the former England international and pioneering pundit, has come under fire for reigniting a dispute with fellow broadcaster Ian Wright. Aluko's comments, made in recent interviews, have been described as an 'own goal' that empowers chauvinistic commentators and damages her legacy.
Aluko, who earned 105 caps and scored 33 goals for England, has a strong record as a player and a campaigner against racism and sexism. She was the first woman to appear as a pundit on Match of the Day in 2014 and has been a prominent voice in broadcasting for 11 years.
In interviews with the 90s Baby Show podcast, Aluko criticised the inclusion of Wright and Nedum Onuoha among the punditry team for the 2025 Women's Euros final, while she and former teammate Fara Williams were in the stands. She argued that opportunities in the industry are being taken by men and accused Wright of failing to champion her as he did Gary Lineker.
Aluko compounded the issue by appearing on TalkSport with Simon Jordan, where she faced aggressive questioning. Her comments echo criticisms she made in April 2024 on Woman's Hour, when she accused Wright of 'hogging' broadcast opportunities in women's football and 'blocking' pathways for women. She later apologised to Wright, but he did not accept the apology.
While some of Aluko's points about the lack of opportunities for female pundits in the men's game are valid, her personalised attacks on Wright have been widely criticised. The episode has left many questioning her judgement and the impact on her broadcasting career.
