Sports
Ian Wright’s Response After Eni Aluko Made Mistake Looks Interesting Now
Ask anyone in football – men’s or women’s – and you’ll hear the same thing: Ian Wright is as genuine as they come. So when Eni Aluko crossed the line in April 2025 by accusing the national treasure of blocking pathways for female pundits, the irony wasn’t lost on many – especially in light of Wright’s vocal support for her during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
To the bemusement of just about everyone, Aluko made her comments during a BBC Radio 4 Womans’ Hour interview. The former Chelsea and England forward acknowledged her respect for Wright but argued that his presence in the women’s game was “dominating” roles and occupying space she believed should go to others.
Unsurprisingly, the backlash was swift. Wright has come to represent the progress made in women’s football over the past decade – both in visibility and in meaningful support. And while plenty has already been said in response to the current fallout, including praise for Wright’s quiet act of generosity in funding Kayleigh McDonald’s ACL rehabilitation, the contrast with how he handled Aluko’s past slip-up is telling.
When Ian Wright Defended Eni Aluko Back in 2022
Wright fired back at trolls who mocked Aluko’s analysis during Brazil’s last-16 clash with South Korea at the 2022 World Cup, and the way in which he showed so much respect to a pundit so many have heaped criticism on time and time again was just yet another notch in the belt of examples of him being a true gentleman.
In the end, Brazil ran out convincing 4-1 winners after a stunning first-half display, with Tottenham star Richarlison’s goal the pick of the bunch. At the time, he boasted an impressive record: 20 goals in just 41 appearances for the national team. Aluko, on punditry duty for ITV alongside Graeme Souness and Roy Keane, had a brief slip of the tongue post-match when she tried to calculate his goal-to-game ratio.
“He [Richarlison] really has [had a big impact],” she said. “He’s the top scorer for Brazil over the last two years. He’s got a great record, 19 in 40 appearances, you do the math on that – that’s one goal a game, pretty much.” While viewers were quick to jump on the former Lionesses star’s mistake, Wright defended his colleague and urged fans to “grow up.” He said (see the full incident below):
”I’ve made countless mistakes live on air. The replies to this are horrible. You man are so pressed by women in football that you take pure pleasure in this. Grow up.”
It’s hard to imagine Aluko not cringing when reflecting on the stark contrast in mutual respect between the two pundits. That said, however, after years of defending Aluko, it seemed Wrighty wasn’t prepared to do so much longer when he released a statement a few days later condemning his colleague, saying he was “very disappointed,” that he “can’t accept” any apology, emphasising that progress in women’s football is a collective challenge.
Wrighty has long spoken glowingly about women’s football, and his influence has no doubt played a significant role in helping get more eyes on the once-underappreciated sport. If Aluko’s comments already felt misplaced, his public defence of her back in 2022 only makes them harder to justify, thus amplifying the disconnect tenfold.
Aluko made headlines again in February 2026 after deciding to, once again, speak out about the involvement of male pundits in the women’s game.
“Last year, at the Women’s Lionesses final, I was sat in the stands. I wasn’t on ITV for the final, Fara Williams was sat next to me, Fara Williams has 170 caps [172 caps] for England, something ridiculous. I think she’s the most-capped player, she’s sat in the stands,” she said on the 90s Baby Show podcast.
“The two broadcasters that had the rights for the game – ITV and BBC – on BBC you’ve got Ellen White, Steph Houghton and Nedum Onuoha, no offence to Nedum Onuoha, nothing against him, I don’t know whether he played for England or not, but you’re on the main panel for the final for England Women.”
She continued: “Let’s go over to ITV, I’m in the stands with 105 caps, so you’ve got two women, between us we’ve got 290 caps, something ridiculous, you turn over to ITV and it’s Ian Wright, Emma Hayes and Kaz Carney. So out of six punditry spots, two have gone to men. Meanwhile, you’ve got 290 caps, whatever it is, sitting in the stands.”
Aluko’s comments led to a scathing response from ITV presenter Laura Woods, who said: “’The women’s game should be by women for women’ is one of the most damaging phrases I’ve heard. It will not only drag women’s sport backwards, it will drag women’s punditry in all forms of the game backwards.”
Aluko also called out Wright for refusing her apology last year. She said: “When I apologised to Ian Wright publicly and privately he had an opportunity to show the grace and the allyship that he showed to many other people. And to prove that he’s the ally that everybody says he is.
“Unfortunately, my sincerity, my humility, was met with disrespect. Where he said, ‘I don’t accept your apology’. And he green-lit all of these people to pile on.”
US President Donald Trump has thanked FIFA for making the “right” decision and suspending USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s red card.
Balogun received his marching orders in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round 32 of the World Cup. He unintentionally stood on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s calf, prompting VAR to advise Brazilian referee Raphael Claus to review the incident.
Claus showed Balogun a red card, to the outrage of American supporters and manager Mauricio Pochettino. The former Arsenal striker had been set to miss his nation’s last 16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday (July 7th), but FIFA have reversed the decision.
Trump Thanks FIFA for Suspending Balogun Red Card
FIFA have opted to hand Balogun a suspended one-game ban under Article 27. It means the American forward is free to play against Belgium at Seattle Stadium in Washington.
GIVEMESPORT sources understand the White House had made a direct call to FIFA and asked them to review Balogun’s red card. Trump has now reacted to the player’s one-game ban being suspended with a post on Truth Social:
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Balogun’s sending off has been shrouded in controversy, as some argue it was unjustified. Pochettino didn’t think his striker’s challenge warranted a red card.
Others made comparisons to Lionel Messi’s challenge in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the World Cup group stages. The Argentine forward didn’t even receive a booking for a foul a VAR expert believes was “even worse” than Balogun’s.
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White House ‘Didn’t Influence’ FIFA Decision
FIFA sources have insisted that White House influence can’t affect decisions because of the powers contained in Article 27. This article of the Disciplinary Code says that a “judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reacted to the red card and claimed that the USA “got screwed.” He suggested that an “appeal process” was required but believed it was too late for that.
This isn’t the first time FIFA have used Article 27, as they cleared Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Portugal’s opening World Cup games. The former Manchester United star was sent off in a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in November.
World Cup: Lionel Messi and Folarin Balogun Red Card Incidents Analysed By Ex-Referee
Both players’ challenges hold clear similarities.
Balogun will now be available for the World Cup co-hosts against Belgium, and it’s a much-needed boost for Pochettino. The AS Monaco frontman is his nation’s top scorer with three goals in as many games, including one in the win over Bosnia.
Fox Sports pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic named a World Cup legend as the greatest footballer ever – but his choice was not reigning champion Lionel Messi.
The former Sweden star only ever made five appearances in international football’s most illustrious competition, despite being considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, but has chosen one of the most dominant individuals in World Cup history as soccer’s ultimate GOAT.
Messi, who lifted the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, is widely considered to be the greatest footballer in the sport’s history, but Ibra holds an alternative point of view.
Samuel Eto’o Named the Only Striker in Football History That Was Better Than Him
Eto’o was never short of confidence but admitted he was bettered by just one all-time great.
During an interview with beIN Sports in 2021, Ibrahimovic stated that two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo Nazario was his pick for the best player the sport has ever seen, with the 43-year-old even describing the Brazilian as the embodiment of football.
“I always tell everyone who plays with me: Ronaldo is football. That Ronaldo is football. The way he moved, the way he did those stepovers, those mazy runs. In my view, he is the best player in history, no doubt about it.”
‘R9’ won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, while he also reached the final in 1998. Overall, from 19 World Cup appearances he scored 15 goals, provided five assists and won 16 games.
It’s possible that Ibrahimovic’s view may have changed since 2021, considering Messi won the only accolade that was missing from his career honours list when Argentina lifted the World Cup crown four years ago.
But there is a reason Ronaldo is monikered as ‘O Fenomeno’ (The Phenomenon), and Zlatan appeared certain in his view that R9, rather than Messi, personified football itself.
Ronaldo Nazario and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Compared
There are, interestingly, a number of similarities between the careers of Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic. Both players first made their name in European football in the Netherlands, with Ronaldo doing so at PSV and Ibrahimovic at Ajax. They also later represented three of the same clubs – Inter Milan, Barcelona, and AC Milan.
When it comes to trophies, both are counted among the best players to have never lifted the Champions League. However, it was Ibrahimovic who ended his career with the greater haul of team honours, winning 32 in total compared with Ronaldo’s 16.
Sadly, the two never got the opportunity to play together. Ronaldo departed AC Milan two years before Ibrahimovic arrived at the red and black side of the city.
The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask them to review Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban ahead of the USA’s clash with Belgium, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.
Balogun was shown a straight red card during the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina after he stumbled and stood on the back of defender Tarik Muharemovic, ruling him out of the Last 16 clash with an automatic one-game suspension.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino was furious at the decision, which the referee made after being sent to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR, but it was confirmed that the USA could not appeal Balogun’s suspension due to competition rules.
However, it was announced on Sunday afternoon (5th July) that Balogun would now be available to feature in the game after FIFA opted to suspend his suspension, instead handing him a one-year probationary period.
Sources: White House Called FIFA Over Balogun Ban
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that decision came after The White House made a direct call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Balogun’s sending off and subsequent suspension.
FIFA were approached for comment and referred to the findings of its independent committee. FIFA sources insist that White House influence could not affect the decision due to the powers contained in Article 27 and the independent nature of the disciplinary panel.
The decision means that Balogun will now be available to lead the line for his nation in the Round of 16 on Monday night, having been in spectacular form throughout the tournament.
The Monaco star, who came through the Hale End academy at Arsenal, is the USMNT’s top scorer in the tournament, having scored four times. He has registered at least one goal contribution in all three of his starts at the competition, having been rested for the final group game against Turkey on match day 3.
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