How Aluko sparked women’s football punditry debateImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Eni Aluko is one of the most successful forwards in England history, scoring 33 goals in 105 international appearances between 2004 and 2016ByDaniel AustinBBC Sport senior journalistPublished33 minutes agoWhen Eni Aluko appeared as a pundit on Match of the Day in 2014 she made history, becoming the first woman to do so and paving the way for the likes of Alex Scott and Steph Houghton to follow in her footsteps.In the years since, the former England, Chelsea and Juventus forward has become a regular feature of football coverage with broadcasters including ITV and TNT Sports.But in the past week she has reignited a debate first sparked a year ago about the presence of male pundits in women’s football, claiming that opportunities for female former players are being reduced by men blocking the way.The row erupted over radio, podcasts and television, has generated heated arguments online, and drawn in other pundits and presenters.BBC Sport explores how the matter has become a talking point again.Initial row with Wright and subsequent apologyIn 2025 Aluko made controversial comments made about ex-Arsenal and England forward Ian Wright.Aluko told BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour that male pundits including Wright – for years a strong advocate for women’s football and widely considered an ally by players past and present – were taking too many broadcasting opportunities away from female pundits by regularly appearing in TV coverage of the women’s game.
“I’ve worked with Ian a long time. I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he should be aware [of how much he is doing in the women’s game].
“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.”
She later apologised to Wright, insisting she “was trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football”.
Wright responded by saying he had noted but could not accept the apology, insisting: “I’m very disappointed by what Eni has reported. I want to move on from it.”
