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‘Superhero’ – Ian Wright blown away by public message from Steph Houghton after Eni Aluko row
Ian Wright has been backed by one of Eni Aluko’s former team-mates as he reflected on their punditry row. The Arsenal legend was accused of ‘blocking opportunities’ for female pundits through his work in women’s football by Aluko. YouTube / Ian WrightSteph Houghton backed Wright as he reflected on the ongoing row with Aluko[/caption] Aluko accused Wright of ‘blocking opportunities’ for female punditsGetty Her comments sparked a backlash before the former Lionesses forward issued an apology to Wright on social media. However, the ex-England striker refused to accept the apology in his initial response to the remarks as he insisted it was time to ‘move on’. Meanwhile, Aluko this week pulled out of her hosting duties at the Women’s Football Awards. Wright has now addressed the ongoing situation on his podcast with Lionesses icon Steph Houghton. The pair co-host the series on YouTube titled Crossways, where they discuss women’s football. In the latest episode, Wright appeared deflated as he explained: “It’s been a bit of an up-and-down week. But at the end of the day, it’s all sorted. “It’s always good to see you Steph, because you make me smile. It’s been quite a tough week.” Former Lionesses captain Houghton, who played alongside Aluko at two Women’s World Cups, responded by publicly backing Wright. Thanking him for his support of the women’s game, she said: “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 week because you are a superhero. And I love working with you.” YouTube / Ian WrightWright admitted it had been a ‘tough week’ on the latest episode of his podcast[/caption] YouTube / Ian WrightCo-host Houghton thanked the Arsenal legend for his work in women’s football[/caption] A beaming Wright then replied: “I love you Steph. To see you come out publicly like that for me is 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.” Since retiring from professional football, Wright has become a fan-favourite pundit after featuring for a range of broadcasters. He has also been a vocal supporter of women’s football on social media and through his TV appearances. The 61-year-old was part of the BBC’s team of pundits for coverage of the 2022 Women’s Euros, which England won on home soil. Wright also hosted his own YouTube series called ‘Wrighty’s Diary’ during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. As a player, he scored nine times in 33 caps for the Three Lions as well as being Arsenal’s second all-time top scorer with 185 goals to his name.
Ian Wright has been backed by one of Eni Aluko’s former team-mates as he reflected on their punditry row.
The Arsenal legend was accused of ‘blocking opportunities’ for female pundits through his work in women’s football by Aluko.
Her comments sparked a backlash before the former Lionesses forward issued an apology to Wright on social media.
However, the ex-England striker refused to accept the apology in his initial response to the remarks as he insisted it was time to ‘move on’.
Meanwhile, Aluko this week pulled out of her hosting duties at the Women’s Football Awards.
Wright has now addressed the ongoing situation on his podcast with Lionesses icon Steph Houghton.
The pair co-host the series on YouTube titled Crossways, where they discuss women’s football.
In the latest episode, Wright appeared deflated as he explained: “It’s been a bit of an up-and-down week. But at the end of the day, it’s all sorted.
“It’s always good to see you Steph, because you make me smile. It’s been quite a tough week.”
Former Lionesses captain Houghton, who played alongside Aluko at two Women’s World Cups, responded by publicly backing Wright.
Thanking him for his support of the women’s game, she said: “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 week because you are a superhero. And I love working with you.”
A beaming Wright then replied: “I love you Steph. To see you come out publicly like that for me is 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.”
Since retiring from professional football, Wright has become a fan-favourite pundit after featuring for a range of broadcasters.
He has also been a vocal supporter of women’s football on social media and through his TV appearances.
The 61-year-old was part of the BBC’s team of pundits for coverage of the 2022 Women’s Euros, which England won on home soil.
Wright also hosted his own YouTube series called ‘Wrighty’s Diary’ during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
As a player, he scored nine times in 33 caps for the Three Lions as well as being Arsenal’s second all-time top scorer with 185 goals to his name.
