Eni Aluko launches emotional live radio plea to Ian Wright | Football | Sport

Eni Aluko has revealed she would welcome the chance to “reconcile” with Ian Wright, making an heartfelt appeal to the Arsenal legend. The former England international has claimed that communication between them has completely ceased.

This comes nine months after an interview with the 38-year-old, during which she cautioned that Wright must not obstruct opportunities for other female broadcasters. That sparked some criticism last April, considering that Wright had demonstrated considerable support for women’s football in recent years.

Aluko did try to apologise to Wright, but when that overture was rejected, it has resulted in an extended period of silence between the two. She was questioned about the Wright situation again when she appeared on talkSPORT for a discussion about the broadcasting industry and punditry in general.

Simon Jordan asked her why she believes Wright refused to accept her apology. An emotional Aluko answered: “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.”

Presenter Jim White interjected and asked: “Do you still speak to him?” To which Aluko replied: “I would love to speak to him. I would love to reconcile with him.”

An exchange then followed 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 interjected: “Does he not take your calls?”.

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That question ended up being glossed over, but the absence of communication between the pair would certainly indicate that no telephone conversation has occurred since the apology was issued. In the period following, Aluko maintains she has done everything within her power both privately and publicly to restore dialogue with Wright.

She went on: “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 stressed. “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 responded: “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.”

Whether this fresh appeal to Wright will help Aluko repair relations with her fellow pundit remains uncertain, having endured nine months navigating this controversy. For the time being, she’s taking a break from punditry duties, having revealed she wished to step back from the “firing line” at ITV.

The 38-year-old has found herself in the spotlight once more, though, following comments about the current broadcasting environment, in which she raised concerns about the opportunities on offer. Those remarks drew criticism from Laura Woods, prompting Aluko to hit back and accuse her of “gaslighting” based on their past interactions.