Eni Aluko Tenders Apology to Ian Wright after Backlash

Former England and Chelsea striker, Eni Aluko, has tendered an apology to Ian Wright for implying that the Arsenal legend and other male pundits are keeping their female counterparts from getting opportunities in sports broadcasting.

38-year-old Aluko made the comments during an interview was asked if she thinks it is wrong for Wright to cover women’s football. “I don’t know about wrong,” she replied.

Aluko added, “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. There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.”

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Her comments sparked outrage, with many defending Wright as the sort of pundit who would actually go all out to give women opportunities in sports broadcasting if it were in his hands. Following the backlash, Aluko tender her apology to the Arsenal legend.

“Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women’s game has been significant,” Aluko said in a statement she released on social media. “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.”

She added, “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.”