Ian Wright will make his return to Lionesses punditry in their Euro semi-final against Italy following his heated row with Eni Aluko
The Arsenal legend was not included in ITV’s original tournament coverage but is set to be part of the broadcaster’s punditry team on Tuesday night
The 61-year-old will be joined by former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, ex-England star Karen Carney and presenter Laura Woods as England face Italy at the Stade de Geneve in a bid to reach a second consecutive Euro final.
Despite not being involved in the tournament’s coverage initially, Wright, a long-time supporter of the women’s game, has covered Euro 2025 alongside ex-England captain Steph Houghton on his Crossways podcast.
His involvement in the semi-final will mark the first time he has appeared as a pundit for the Lionesses since Eni Aluko accused him of ‘blocking’ opportunities for female presenters.
In April, Aluko said Wright needed to be aware of ‘how much he’s doing in the women’s game,’ and that his presence has made it tougher for female pundits trying to find a spot in the industry.
Ian Wright is set to make his return to women’s football punditry after his row with Eni Aluko
Wright didn’t acccept Aluko’s apology after she said he was blocking opportunities for women
Former England star Eni Aluko accused Wright of ‘blocking opportunities’ for female pundits
‘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,’ she told Radio Four’s Women’s Hour at the time.
‘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.’
Aluko, who made 105 appearances for the Lionesses in a 12-year international career, later apologised to Wright.
But the former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker said he couldn’t accept her apology.
‘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,’ he said.
Last week, Aluko admitted she was wrong to suggest Wright has blocked opportunities for female pundits and that she respects his decision to refuse her public apology, while insisting she made efforts to make peace with him in private.
More to follow.
