ITV Considering Axing Eni Aluko After Ian Wright Comments Spark Backlash

The world of sports commentary has been rocked by controversy as former England international Eni Aluko reportedly finds herself on thin ice with ITV executives. The 38-year-old Nigerian-British footballer’s future with the broadcaster hangs in the balance following her surprising criticism of beloved Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

Aluko sparked internal turmoil at the network after accusing Wright of ‘blocking’ female pundits and ‘dominating’ coverage of women’s football—comments that reportedly left ITV bosses both angry and bewildered.

Network Executives ‘Seriously Debating’ Aluko’s Future

According to insiders who spoke with MailOnline, Aluko’s comments have triggered serious conversations within ITV regarding her future. Senior network figures are reportedly reconsidering their association with the former Chelsea striker after what many view as an unwarranted attack on Wright.

“Aluko’s on very thin ice, the comments she made were ill-judged to say the least,” revealed a television source close to the situation. The controversy stems from Aluko’s appearance on Radio Four’s Women’s Hour, where she made her unexpected claims about Wright’s influence.

The Comments That Ignited the Firestorm

During her radio appearance, the 105-cap England international suggested that Wright, while “a brilliant broadcaster,” should be more aware of “how much he’s doing in the women’s game” and implied his presence limits opportunities for female commentators.

“The fact of the matter is, there is a limited amount of spaces available,” Aluko stated during the interview. “I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.” When pressed on whether she believed it was wrong for Wright to cover women’s football, Aluko added: “I don’t know about wrong, but I think we need to be conscious… that women are not being blocked.”

Industry Reaction and the Painful Irony

The criticism has been particularly puzzling to industry insiders and football fans alike, given Wright’s well-documented advocacy for women’s football. The 61-year-old pundit has been a vocal champion of the women’s game for years and has publicly supported initiatives to increase female representation in sports broadcasting.

Adding a layer of irony to the situation, Wright had previously defended Aluko when she faced social media criticism after a punditry slip-up during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar—making her current comments all the more surprising to many observers.

“So for her to criticise the use of Wright and suggest he’s dominating the game is not only factually incorrect, it’s actually very disrespectful given how he’s helped raise the profile of women’s football,” the ITV source continued. “Her comments have upset a lot of people.”

Aluko’s Ongoing Legal Battle with Joey Barton

During the same Radio Four interview, Aluko referenced her ongoing legal battle with former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton. She claimed her punditry career had been damaged after Barton called her a “race card player” on social media in January 2023—allegations that have led to her filing a libel suit against him.

This additional layer of controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time for Aluko, as her position in sports commentary already faces scrutiny. The timing of her comments about Wright has left many questioning her judgment.

ITV’s Commitment to Diversity in Sports Coverage

Sources at ITV highlighted the broadcaster’s strong record on diversity, pointing out their commitment to featuring various voices in sports coverage. “ITV pride themselves on having a diverse roster for both pundits and presenters across its sports content and there is a big female influence when covering women’s football,” the insider noted.

The network has reportedly invested significantly in promoting women’s football and ensuring female commentators have opportunities to showcase their expertise—making Aluko’s suggestion that female pundits are being “blocked” particularly contentious.

What’s Next for Aluko at ITV?

As the controversy continues to unfold, the future remains uncertain for Aluko at ITV. Network executives are reportedly engaged in “serious discussions over whether she can work for the broadcaster again in the near future.”

This situation highlights the complex dynamics at play in sports broadcasting as networks attempt to balance representation while also maintaining professional standards and relationships within their talent roster.

Whether Aluko will have the opportunity to clarify her comments or if ITV will ultimately decide to part ways with the former footballer remains to be seen. What’s clear is that her remarks have created significant waves in an industry already navigating challenging conversations about representation, opportunity, and the evolving landscape of sports commentary.

As this story develops, it serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny faced by public figures in sports media and the potential consequences of controversial statements, even from those who themselves have advocated for greater inclusion and representation.