Former player-turned-pundit Eni Aluko has claimed that she would love to “reconcile” with Ian Wright, launching an emotional plea to the Arsenal icon. She suggests that contact between the pair has been cut off completely.
It comes nine months on from an interview with the 38-year-old, in which she warned that Wright must not block the pathway for fellow female broadcasters. That led to some backlash last April, given that the ex-England international has shown plenty of support for the women’s game in recent years.
Aluko did attempt to apologise to Wright, but when that wasn’t accepted, it has led to a prolonged spell of no contact between the pair.
Aluko was quizzed on the situation with Wright once again when she was invited onto talkSPORT for an interview on the broadcasting industry and punditry as a whole. Simon Jordan asked her why she thinks Wright wouldn’t accept her apology.
To which an emotional Aluko replied: “No idea… I don’t know. Because I’m being honest, as far as I’m concerned, I’ve always shown him the utmost love and respect. It’s like, you know, Uncle Wrighty.”
Host Jim White jumped in and asked: “Do you still speak to him?” To which Aluko responded: “I would love to speak to him. I would love to reconcile with him.”
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There was then a back and forth between the pair as White said: “Which means you haven’t spoken to him since?”
“Which means I haven’t spoken to him and I…” Aluko said, before White added: “Does he not take your calls?”
That question ended up being glossed over, but the lack of speaking between the pair would certainly suggest that no phone call has taken place in the time since the apology was made. In the time since, Aluko claims she has done everything possible in private and in the public eye to get back on speaking terms with Wright.
She continued: “I just think that, you know, based on what I said, I don’t think it warrants this sort of… and people have weaponised his name against me for the last nine months, and I’m a bit fed up of it because I’m like, ‘Listen, I’ve done everything I can. Privately, publicly, to try and re-establish a relationship without having any skin in the game.’ I don’t need to be picked at this moment in time.
“The bottom line is, I wanna make it very clear, you will never find a quote or a video of me saying Ian Wright should get out of the women’s game,” Aluko added. “Because I think people are trying to make this what this is.
“All I’m trying to suggest is, is there a way where the main punditry spots, which are often long-term contracts, which are often lucrative contracts, can be prioritised for women where Ian plays more of a supporting role rather than a main character role?”
Back in April, Wright said: “I’m very disappointed by what Eni has said. She knows how I have helped her and supported her publicly.
“I can’t accept it [the apology] but I also want to move on from it. I don’t need any further social commentary directed at anyone.”
It remains to be seen whether this latest plea to Wright will help Aluko patch up the relationship with the fellow pundit, having spent nine months through this debacle.
For now, though, she is spending time away from punditry, after revealing that she wanted to take a step away from the “firing line” at ITV.
The 38-year-old has been back in the headlines, however, after discussing the current broadcasting landscape, as she questioned the opportunities available. That was slammed by Laura Woods, leading to Aluko responding and accusing her of “gaslighting” from their previous encounters.
