Eni Aluko has raised concerns about Ian Wright’s prominent role in women’s football media, suggesting that his presence may be limiting opportunities for female pundits trying to break into the industry.
The former England and Chelsea striker addressed the need for men working in women’s football to be mindful of the visibility they occupy.
“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,”” she said.
“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 whether she believes it’s inappropriate for Wright, to be such a central figure in women’s football coverage, 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.”
Aluko and Wright have worked side-by-side as pundits, including during broadcasts such as the Women’s World Cup qualifiers in 2021. However, Aluko believes greater consideration is needed for women to have equal access.
🚨 Eni Aluko has accused Ian Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits by ‘dominating’ women’s football coverage himself. 🤯
(Source: @MailSport) pic.twitter.com/5wooxQZXsy
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 23, 2025
“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.”
Wright’s work for the women’s game
Wright has been very vocal in his support of the women’s game, launching a podcast alongside former England captain Steph Houghton and often appearing alongside Kelly Cates to discuss women’s football on the BBC.
It has also been revealed that Wright has been paying for Stoke City’s Kayleigh McDonald’s ACL rehabilitation, contributing £1,700 a month out of his own pocket after the club cut funding.
He has previously condemned the abuse directed at female pundits, stating they “deserve” their place in broadcasting and that he felt “embarrassed” by the criticism they receive.
Barton saga
Aluko, alongside fellow broadcasters such as Alex Scott and Karen Carney, has faced online abuse – some of which is currently at the centre of a legal battle with Joey Barton.
Former England striker Eni Aluko has won the first stage of her libel case against former footballer Joey Barton.
Barton had previously targeted Aluko on social media, accusing her of “playing the race card”, which resulted in threats of violence and abuse towards her. pic.twitter.com/toY0feoTGE
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) April 10, 2025
She is suing the former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder over two social media posts from January 2023, with a judge ruling that one of Barton’s tweets carried a defamatory meaning, calling her a “race card player.”
Despite an initial ruling in her favour – pending a possible appeal from Barton – Aluko feels her media career has suffered as a result.
“This happens in lots of industries – when women stand up for themselves, their career takes a hit,” she said.
“I’ve been doing broadcasting for 11 years. I’m not new to it. And in the last 18 months I’ve done the least TV I’ve ever done.
“That’s just a fact. That’s not a feeling, that’s an opinion. That’s a fact. So I think people can draw their own conclusions from that.”
She also pointed to the broader issue of unequal opportunities in both men’s and women’s football media roles.
“There is a double standard where there is still a limited amount of opportunities for women, female broadcasters, both in the men’s and the women’s game.
“We’re still competing for two or three seats maximum, which includes the presenters.”
