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Ian Wright opens up on struggles amid Eni Aluko controversy in emotional podcast appearance

Home> Football> Football News

Published 16:15 30 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Ian Wright opens up on struggles amid Eni Aluko controversy in emotional podcast appearance

Eni Aluko's former England teammate threw her support behind Ian Wright amid their row.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

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Ian Wright has opened up on his struggles following his public row with Eni Aluko in an emotional podcast appearance.

Aluko accused Wright of 'blocking opportunities for women' in the women's game in an appearance on the BBC Radio 4 programme.

The former Chelsea player, 38, faced scrutiny for her comments and later apologised to Wright, who refused to accept her apology.

Aluko has since pulled out of a 'special' job amid the backlash.

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As for Wright, he opened up on the incident in a candid chat with Steph Houghton on the Crossways - A Women's Football Show podcast.

Houghton, who played with Aluko for England, backed Wright, calling him a 'super hero' as she threw her support behind the Arsenal legend.

At the start of the podcast, Wright said: "It's been a bit of an up-and-down week. But at the end of the day, it's all sorted."

Ian Wright received backing from podcast co-host Steph Houghton following the Eni Aluko row. Image: Getty
Ian Wright received backing from podcast co-host Steph Houghton following the Eni Aluko row. Image: Getty

As they wrapped up the episode, Wright thanked his co-host for her support on the podcast, saying: "It's always good to see you Steph, because you make me smile, because it's been quite a tough week."

Houghton replied: "Ian, can I just say this, and this has not been pre-empted, I think I posted on Instagram: What you have done for our game is unbelievable and you've got to take all the credit that everybody's thrown at you this last week because you are a super-hero. And I love working with you."

An emotional Wright responded: "I love you Steph. To see you come out publicly like that for me it's just nice.

"But I just wish... it's not about the individual in the women's game, it's just about the collective.

"I'm not going to go into it, but I just really appreciate the public support that I got."

Houghton's backing of Wright speaks volumes considering she has known Aluko for some time, having featured together in the England fold between 2007 and 2016.

She also has a long-standing affiliation with Wright after they started their podcast in September 2024.

Featured Image Credit: Crossways - A Women's Football Show

Topics: Ian Wright, Football

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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@NasJabbar

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