Eni Aluko’s future in ‘doubt’ as ITV deliver public verdict on beef with Arsenal icon Ian Wright
According to reports, Eni Aluko’s future at ITV is in ‘doubt’ as the broadcaster has issued a statement in response to her beef with Ian Wright.
Aluko is in hot water after she accused Wright of “blocking” opportunities for female pundits covering the women’s game.
She subsequently backtracked, admitting she was “wrong” to mention the Arsenal legend by name when trying to make a wider point.
However, Wright has refused to accept her apology, with her mother claiming this situation has left her “upset and traumatised”.
“This situation has affected Eni quite a lot and has left her traumatised and upset. I’m doing my best to keep her calm and just be a good mum. I’m constantly in touch with her and even met her for lunch the other day,” Sileola Aluko said.
“I told her that football is not the world and that you don’t become a bad or useless person in one day. It’s been tough for her, she has a lot of strong opinions, but she will come through this. She has dealt with a lot of other difficult situations in her life.’
“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.”
READ: Arsenal ‘did a Leicester’ by appointing ‘Fake Brendan Rodgers’ Mikel Arteta
It’s also been reported that Aluko ‘faces the axe’ with ‘bosses’ at ITV ‘angry and bemused’ at her outburst.
‘According to insiders, former England international Aluko, who won 105 caps also faces being axed by ITV with bosses angry and bemused at her comments given the broadcaster’s form for sending female-heavy teams to cover major international tournaments including the Euros and the World Cup.’
Now, a report from The Guardian claims ITV have ‘cast doubt over Aluko’s future’ by ‘backing’ Wright in a clear statement on the matter.
An ITV spokesperson told The Guardian: “Ian’s standing in the sport is beyond question.”
MUST-READ FEATURES ON F365…
👉 Slot to Leeds, Amorim to Liverpool, Howe to Celtic: Premier League manager near-misses
👉 The worst XI signed by champions cost £229.5m, damns Chelsea and warns Liverpool
👉 Slot sacked, Arsenal win league, Man Utd champions of Europe, Pep walks – 10 early predictions for 25/26
They continued: “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.”
The report also points out that it is yet to be stated whether Aluko will be covering a ‘big summer of football’ for the broadcaster.
‘TV’s remark will raise further questions about Aluko’s future in its punditry ranks.
‘The broadcaster has a big summer of football, with exclusive live rights to England men’s World Cup qualifiers in June and joint live rights with the BBC for the Lionesses’ defence of the European Championship in Switzerland the following month.
‘Although ITV has not announced its presenting team for the tournament Wright will be involved, as he was throughout its coverage of the qualifiers.
‘ITV has confirmed Wright will be part of its FA Cup final team next month when his former club Crystal Palace meet Manchester City, 35 years after he came off the bench to score twice for Palace in a 3-3 draw in the final against Manchester United.’
