Ian Wright returns to ITV for Euro 2025 England vs Italy clash after Eni Aluko row | OneFootball

Ian Wright will return to punditry duty for ITV for England’s Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy, following his row with Eni Aluko.

The legendary Arsenal striker was a mainstay of ITV’s coverage of the Lionesses before Euro 2025.

He had been expected to make ITV’s punditry team for the tournament in Switzerland, after previously doing coverage for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

However, he was a surprise omission from the tournament, while Aluko returned to the channel after missing England’s games in the build-up to the tournament following her comments about Wright.

Wright has been covering the tournament alongside former England captain Steph Houghton on his Crossways podcast.

However, the Telegraph have reported that he will make his first appearance covering the Lionesses since his row with Aluko.

Will Ian Wright appear alongside Eni Aluko for ITV coverage of England vs Italy?

The report claims that Ian Wright will work on the punditry team for the England vs Italy Euro 2025 semi-final following his row with Eni Aluko.

It’s said he will appear alongside former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, ex-England forward Karen Carney, and presenter Laura Woods.

The lineup for the semi-final does not include Eni Aluko. The former Lioness has worked for ITV during the tournament but has been absent from England games.

The Telegraph report that she has finished her role with ITV for this tournament.

England are favourites to beat Italy on Tuesday night and reach the Euro 2025 final. The UK’s best betting websites have the Lionesses at odds of 1/2 to win in regular time.

What did Eni Aluko say about Ian Wright?

Eni Aluko said that Ian Wright was blocking opportunities for women during her appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour in April.

She described Wright as a “brilliant broadcaster,” but said he “should be aware” of the space he occupies in the coverage of women’s football.

Aluko said: “I think we need to be conscious and we need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway into broadcasting in the women’s game.

“There’s a finite amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that.”

Her comments were widely ridiculed due to the positive influence Wright has had towards the women’s game.

Notably, he played for the rehab of former Stoke City midfielder Kayleigh McDonald after she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Wright is one of the biggest advocates of women’s football when it comes to those who have played men’s football.

Did Wright accept Aluko’s apology?

Eni Aluko later apologised to Ian Wright for her comments.

She said that she was “trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football” and the “importance of creating more space for women to thrive on and off the pitch”.

She added: “But it was wrong for Ian’s name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise. I’ve known and worked with Ian for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him.”

Wright in response said he “cannot accept” Eluko’s apology and was “disappointed” by her comments.