Ian Wright rejects Eni Aluko’s apology over Women’s football broadcasting comments

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Ian Wright has said he “can’t accept” Eni Aluko’s apology after she suggested he was “blocking” opportunities for female broadcasters in women’s football.

Speaking on BBC’s Woman’s Hour earlier this week, Aluko described Wright as “dominating” the women’s football broadcasting space and urged the former Arsenal and England striker to be mindful of the limited opportunities available for women in the industry.

“What we don’t want is a repeat dominance of men in the women’s game, as broadcasters, as coaches, earning more money than women when we can’t do the same in the men’s game,” Aluko said. “I’ve worked with Ian a long time and I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but he should be aware of how much space he’s taking up.”

Aluko’s remarks drew backlash, particularly given Wright’s longstanding support for the women’s game. It also emerged this week that Wright personally pays £1,700 a month towards the rehabilitation costs of Kayleigh McDonald, a Stoke City player recovering from an ACL injury, and previously donated £15,000 to support training for female grassroots coaches.

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In response to the criticism, Aluko issued a public apology on Thursday, admitting she was wrong to single out Wright. “Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant,” Aluko said. “It was wrong for Ian’s name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise.”

However, in a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, Ian Wright said he could not accept Aluko’s apology. “I’m very disappointed about what Eni has said,” Wright said. “She knows how I’ve helped her and supported her publicly. I’ve seen the apology on social media but I can’t accept it. I also want to move on.”

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Wright stressed the need for collective effort to grow the women’s game rather than focusing on individuals. “The game has serious systemic challenges, and it’s going to take everyone to help fix it,” he said. “Because of the past, because men banned women’s football for 50 years, we have a greater responsibility to support its future.”

Ian Wright ended his message by thanking those who had shown him public support over the past week, adding: “I’ve never felt quite as emotional seeing so many messages of love and support. It’s something I do not take for granted.”

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