- Aluko suggested in April that Ian Wright blocked opportunities for female pundits
- The former England forward later backtracked on her comments and apologised
- LISTEN: Will Liverpool sign Alexander Isak? Merseyside reporter Lewis Steele provides the latest on the potential transfer on Whistleblowers podcast
Eni Aluko has been named in ITV punditry line-up for the upcoming Women’s European Championships, but Ian Wright has not been included after she had accused him of ‘blocking’ opportunities with women in football.
The broadcaster announced Aluko’s inclusion in a ‘sensational presenting and punditry lineup’ for next month’s tournament, with their coverage led by presenters Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal.
ITV confirmed Aluko would be joined by fellow pundits Karen Carney, Emma Hayes, Vicky Losada, Laura Georges, Jayne Ludlow, and Caroline Weir.
The broadcasters presenting and punditry team is all-female, but Seb Hutchinson and Sam Matterface will serve as commentators alongside Pien Meulensteen.
They will be joined by Co-Commentators Lucy Ward, Siobhan Chamberlain, Emma Byrne, and Nia Jones.
Aluko’s inclusion and the absence of Wright is likely to prove a talking point following the former Lionesses star’s comments about her punditry colleague back in April.
Speaking on BBC Radio Four, Aluko had claimed that ITV continuing to employ Wright to cover the women’s game hampered the chances of female pundits coming into the industry.
‘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,’ Aluko had 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.’
Aluko later issued an apology for her comments, which was rejected by former Arsenal and England star Wright.
‘I have to talk about this week and what’s going on, I don’t want to endlessly be asked about it,’ Wright had said on social media.
‘I’ve got to say, I’m very disappointed about what Eni has 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.
‘I’ve seen the apology on social media, but I can’t accept it, but I also want to move on. For anyone watching this, I really don’t need any further social commentary directed on any of this.
‘The thing about where the women’s game is, it isn’t about me – it has to be about the collective.
‘Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women’s game for 50 years, because of the past we know the game has serious systemic challenges, and it’s going to take everyone to help fixes.
‘So for me, I always give back to the game, it’s given me so much. It’s never bothered me about who’s playing the game, as long as they’re playing the game. if you know my story you’ll know how much football means to me.
‘We are the country that invented modern football, so we have a responsibility, to lead the way in women’s football. We men are the ones that banned women’s football for 50 years, so we have to hold that one.
‘I need to say to everyone who has spoken about it publicly and showed love and support, I say thank you. It’s something I do not take for granted.’
Neither Aluko or Wright are yet to comment on ITV’s punditry line-up for the tournament.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, promised that the broadcaster will provide ‘provoking punditry’ during the tournament.
‘We are proud at ITV to broadcast the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 in what we expect to be a brilliant tournament showcasing the very top footballers in Europe,’ Sloane said.
‘The women’s game continues to grow from strength to strength, and ITV will be front and centre to provide expert coverage, analysis and thought provoking punditry with our elite broadcasting team.’
ITV and the BBC will show coverage from the tournament as England aim to retain the title they earned back in 2022.
ITV will broadcast England’s first match of the tournament against France on July 5, as well as their last match of the Group Stage against home nations rival Wales on July 13.
The broadcaster will show one of the quarter-final and have first pick of the semi-finals, while both ITV and the BBC will show the final on July 27.
