ITV have a huge summer of football coverage on the horizon, but Eni Aluko’s explosive comments about her colleague Ian Wright has thrown a spanner into the works
When Eni Aluko agreed to appear on BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour, she couldn’t have predicted the fallout her interview would cause. But a week on Aluko is feeling the effects of a significant backlash after she aimed some pointed criticism at Ian Wright.
While trying to make a wider point about opportunities for women in the football media, the former England striker ended up accusing Wright of ‘blocking opportunities for women’ in women’s football. It was a clumsy and uncalled for turn of phrase for which Aluko quickly issued an apology.
But the suggestion clearly upset Wright, who refused to accept the apology. “I’ve got to say, I’m very disappointed about what Eni has said,” Wright 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.”
The story has continued to evolve since then, with Aluko announcing on Wednesday that she wouldn’t present the Women’s Football Awards, so as not to become a distraction. “I love women’s football deeply, I’m proud of how far we’ve come and I’ll absolutely be back involved in the future,” she concluded.
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But when and where she will be involved is currently up in the air, with her comments seemingly jeopardising her employment ahead of an important summer.
Aluko has previously worked for ITV, covering both men’s and women’s football, but a statement issued by the broadcaster this week suggested she is on the wrong side of the argument.
“Ian’s standing in the sport is beyond question,” a spokesperson said. “As one of the UK’s most respected and much-loved footballers and sporting broadcasters, with a career spanning nearly four decades, Ian is an incredible advocate, ally and brilliant broadcaster of women’s football from a grassroots level as well as at the highest international competitions.”
So where does that leave Aluko with ITV? Mirror Football understands that the broadcaster is yet to decide upon its punditry line-up for the summer when they have exclusive live rights to show England men’s one World Cup qualifier and one friendly match in June, as well as the live rights with the BBC as the Lionesses bid to defend the Women’s European Championship.
ITV are in a difficult position. If they drop Aluko then they risk contributing to a pile-on and reinforcing the original point she was trying to make. They also have a duty of care as an employer, given the ‘traumatising’ situation Aluko has found herself in.
“This situation has affected Eni quite a lot and has left her traumatised and upset,” her mother Sileola told the Daily Mail. “The most important thing for me is that I support her and make sure she does not run into any emotional or physical problems and become unwell.”
However, given Wright has refused Aluko’s apology, they can hardly force them work together, where they would risk overshadowing the football.
Calm heads will be needed – and ITV may find that time acts as a healer ahead of the start of the Women’s Euros on July 2. Wright’s own words in response to Aluko’s accusations would be a wise place to start: “The thing about where the women’s game is, it isn’t about me – it has to be about the collective.”
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