Ian Wright receives unwavering support amid Eni Aluko’s harsh criticism

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Prominent voices in European football have stepped forward to defend former Arsenal striker Ian Wright following criticism from Eni Aluko, who accused him of “blocking” opportunities for women in football punditry.

Aluko’s comments, made earlier this week, suggested Wright was “dominating” coverage of the women’s game, thereby limiting pathways for female broadcasters. However, numerous figures across the sport have rejected the claim, highlighting Wright’s longstanding advocacy for women’s football.

Kathryn Batte of The Telegraph issued a strong rebuttal, writing, “Sorry Eni, but you’re totally wrong about Ian Wright.” Batte pointed to Wright’s generous support of Stoke City defender Kayleigh McDonald as a powerful example of his commitment. McDonald suffered an ACL injury in March 2023 and was left without financial backing for her £1,700-per-month rehabilitation—until Wright stepped in and covered the costs out of his own pocket.

“I wouldn’t be in a great place mentally if it wasn’t for Ian Wright,” McDonald said. “I would probably still be waiting for my surgery if it wasn’t for him… there should be more of a spotlight shone on him.”

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Wright’s dedication goes beyond individual gestures. In 2023, he partnered with Barclays to launch the Ian Wright Coaching Fund, which aims to increase the number of female grassroots coaches, particularly in underrepresented communities. His personal £15,000 donation helped 664 women receive their Level One coaching qualifications.

The initiative has been hailed as transformative, providing tangible opportunities for women to enter the coaching profession and contribute to the growth of the game.

Despite Aluko’s implication that Wright is overrepresented in women’s football media, data suggests otherwise. He has only appeared as a pundit for one Women’s Super League match and has consistently worked alongside female broadcasters on major tournament coverage for the BBC and iTV.

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Laura Woods, a presenter with iTV, weighed in: “I’ve worked with Ian on several projects, and he’s always been respectful and supportive of women’s football. He’s not dominating the industry; he’s just one of many passionate advocates.”

Wright’s advocacy came to national attention during Euro 2022, when he used his platform on BBC Sport to push for equal access to football in schools. Following his impassioned plea and an open letter from the Lionesses, the UK government pledged to support equal opportunities in PE for girls and boys.

“Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football in their PE, just like the boys can, what are we doing?” Wright said at the time. “We have to make sure they are able to play and get the opportunity to do so.”

Through his podcast Crossways, co-hosted with former England captain Steph Houghton, Wright has also addressed important but under-discussed topics like menstruation in football—further demonstrating his deep commitment to the women’s game.

Former Lioness Ellen White summed up the sentiment shared by many in the sport: “Ian Wright is a true champion of women’s football. He’s passionate, dedicated, and always willing to lend a helping hand. We need more people like him in the industry.”

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