Ian Wright REJECTS Eni Aluko‘s apology as he breaks silence on her accusation, taking to Instagram to make his feelings known.
Aluko made the comments during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, suggesting Wright’s prominent role in broadcasting the women’s game limited opportunities for women, given the finite number of spaces available.
She later apologised on Instagram, acknowledging Wright as a “brilliant broadcaster and role model” and admitting it was “wrong” to single him out, emphasizing her broader point about systemic access for women in football media.
In a video posted on Instagram, Wright expressed deep disappointment, stating he “can’t accept” the apology. He highlighted his extensive support for Aluko, both publicly and privately, and referenced prior conversations with her and his management, implying her comments were inconsistent with their past interactions.
Wright, a long-time advocate for women’s football, has been praised for actions like funding a player’s £1,700-a-month ACL rehabilitation and advocating for equal access to school sports for girls, which influenced government policy.
The controversy has sparked significant backlash against Aluko, with reports suggesting ITV, where both pundits have worked, is considering parting ways with her due to the “factually incorrect” and “disrespectful” nature of her remarks, especially given Wright’s contributions to the women’s game.
As can be heard in his Instagram video, he says: “I have to talk about this week, and what’s going on. I don’t wanna endlessly be asked about it. I gotta say I’m very disappointed by what any has said. She knows how I’ve helped her, supported her publicly. And I know the previous conversations, she’s had with me and my management.
“So for me, I’ve seen apology, on social media, but I can’t accept it. But I also wanna move on from it. For anyone watching this, I really don’t need any further, like, social commentary directed at anyone on this. But the thing about where the women’s game is is that it can’t be about individuals like me. It has to be about the collective.
“And because of the past, we know the men’s block the women’s game for fifty years because of the passing. The game has serious systemic challenges and it’s gonna be it’s gonna take I should say everyone to to to help fix it. So for me, I’ll always give back to the game that’s it’s given me so much. I was with the ten and b girls, team last night, and, the vibes were great. I’ve got to post a picture of them otherwise I’m gonna get in trouble for them.
“So I’ll do that later because I promised the girls that. But anyway, let me not digress. It’s never bothered me about who’s playing the game as long as they’re playing the game. If you know my story, you’ll know how much football means to me. And when you think about it, we are the country that invented modern football.
“So we have a responsibility, a greater than most to to lead the way in in women’s football. We men, like I mentioned earlier, are the ones that banned football for fifty years. So we have to hold that one. But I do need I’ve got to say, to go to the gym. I gotta go to the gym.
“I’m gonna leave it there. I’m going on too much. But before I go, I need to say to everyone who has spoken about it publicly and showed love and support, I thank you. It’s something I do not take for granted. And I’ve never quelt I never should I say, I’ve never felt, quite as emotional this week seeing so many of those public messages of support.
“Kayleigh, I love you so much. Take it easy, everyone. See you tomorrow for the FA Cup. Come on, Palace. Come on, Palace.”
Eni Aluko said when on Radio Four’s Women’s Hour: ‘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 is wrong for Wright to be a figure at the forefront of coverage of women’s football, 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.’
In her apology, she said: “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.”
Twitter users reacted after Ian Wright REJECTS Eni Aluko’s apology as he breaks silence on her accusation…
@ammandev: Ian Wright is a national treasure, and a true advocate and credit to the growth that we’ve all enjoyed for the women’s game. ♥️
@tnekmail: Ian Wright is one of the good guys
@rogerthedodge2: Class act is Wrighty – that’s why I was so shocked with what was said. Never seen a top pro give it so much & then take it so much – proper top bloke & brilliant for the woman’s game.
@owenthfc__: I still can’t believe she tried going for Ian Wright. For me the nicest man in football. It says a lot that I can’t tell you a single Tottenham fan who dislikes Wrighty. She’s a terrible pundit & seemingly not a very pleasant person either. I can’t say I’ll have any sympathy for her if the rumours of her losing her job are true.
@ben_dempster01: Surely having such a powerful voice in the men’s game covering and supporting the women’s game is something that can help it grow he is a fantastic pundit and a great champion
@JULESC___: Fair play to Ian Wright on not accepting her apology. If he had of made a comment like she did about him he’d be finished. Stop coming for men at every opportunity and thinking it’s ok.
@nicholas_oneill: Having a recognised legend supporting the women’s game so passionately and genuinely is something that should be celebrated. Aluko should be ashamed of herself
@SteveBa15722015: Ian Wright is a class act. Eni Aluko could learn from him.. take note.
@Bennbfc: Ian wright is a class act. Huge huge hero of mine. What a guy @IanWright0
@Toffee0625: Nor should he accept it. It wasn’t a genuine apology, just a ‘not gone down well this, I’m disliked more than I was before and I’d better try rescue the situation somehow’ statement. She needs swerving 👋🏼
@jaden_pudlich9: Ian wright is one of the most knowledgeable and respected pundits in the game. Bloke knows more about women’s football than women do
