Eni Aluko has apologised for suggesting Ian Wright was blocking opportunities for females to break into broadcasting on women’s football, and insisted she has “nothing but love and respect” for the former Arsenal striker.
Aluko made the initial comments in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour in which she said Wright “should be aware” of the prominence he has in the coverage of the women’s game and made the broader point that it was important women “are not blocked from having a pathway” into covering the sport.
Wright is a long-time advocate of the women’s game and has also paid for Stoke City player Kayleigh McDonald’s rehab from an ACL injury.
Aluko has received widespread criticism for her remarks, not necessarily about blocked pathways for women, but for singling out Wright.
She responded on Instagram today, writing: “Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant.
“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 spaces – 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.”
