ITV has publicly expressed strong support for Ian Wright amid ongoing controversy regarding his role in punditry for women’s football. The broadcaster’s statement follows comments made by Eni Aluko, a former England and Chelsea player, who questioned Wright’s involvement in women’s football punditry. Aluko suggested that Wright should be mindful of how much work he was taking in the women’s game, stressing the importance of ensuring women are not blocked from accessing broadcasting opportunities in their own sport.
Aluko later issued an apology to Wright on social media, acknowledging that it was wrong to bring his name into the conversation. However, Wright rejected her apology, stating that he could not accept it, despite their long history of working together as pundits on England men’s and women’s matches.
ITV’s response to the situation was swift and supportive of Wright. The broadcaster emphasized that his reputation in the sport is unquestionable. They highlighted his long career, spanning nearly four decades, and his commitment to advocating for women’s football at all levels. ITV also praised Wright for his work as a broadcaster, noting that he has been an incredible ally to women’s football, supporting it from grassroots to the international stage.
The public backing from ITV raises questions about Aluko’s future with the broadcaster, particularly as the summer approaches with major football events. ITV holds the exclusive live rights for England men’s World Cup qualifiers in June, as well as joint live rights with the BBC for the Lionesses’ defence of the European Championship in Switzerland the following month. While ITV has yet to confirm its presenting team for the tournament, Wright’s involvement is expected given his role throughout the qualifiers.
Wright’s position with ITV also extends to the upcoming FA Cup final, where he will be part of the broadcast team covering the match between his former club, Crystal Palace, and Manchester City. Wright has a historic connection to the FA Cup, having scored twice for Palace in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Manchester United in the final 35 years ago.
Despite Aluko’s apology, which acknowledged that raising Wright’s name in the conversation was inappropriate, Wright made it clear in a response on social media that he was deeply disappointed by her comments. He referred to their past working relationship and personal conversations, indicating that he felt her actions were out of step with the support he had shown her over the years. Although Wright expressed his disappointment, he added that he was keen to move on from the matter.
The controversy has stirred significant debate within the football and broadcasting communities, with many supporting Wright for his long-standing contributions to the sport and his efforts to promote women’s football. The incident has also led to broader conversations about the role of women in football broadcasting and the challenges they face in accessing equal opportunities. With high-profile tournaments on the horizon, the outcome of this situation will likely have lasting implications for both the future of punditry in women’s football and the individuals involved.
