Trio of Lionesses pick their side in Wright vs Aluko row with show of support (2025)

Ian Wright appears to have been backed by several England women's stars, Mary Earps among them, after he was criticised for blocking opportunities for females by Eni Aluko

Lioness trio Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Mary Earps look to have underlined their support for Ian Wright after a feud was ignited with Eni Aluko. The ex-England women's star, who has since backtracked on her comments, accused the Arsenal great of "dominating" the women's game and blocking opportunities for others.

Wright has been among the biggest advocates of women's football as it continues to rise. His belief in the sport has seen him regularly appear as a pundit when the Lionesses have been in action, sometimes alongside Aluko.

Since retiring she has gone into various roles within women's football but claimed Wright's stature within the sport meant, given the limited opportunities, other females were missing out.

The Arsenal great has since come out and defended himself, claiming he "cannot accept" the apology that has since been issued by Aluko, who has looked to clarify her comments. Wright's post has since been liked by a number of major women's stars who look to have put their support behind him.

As well as Hemp, Russo and Earps; the Gunners quartet of Katie McCabe, Daphne van Domselaar, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Katie Reid, as well as former north London favourite Cloe Lacasse have also like his post.

Aluko, whilst discussing her views on Wright, also claimed her punditry career had been rocked by her spat with ex-Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton, who she's suing for libel. He dubbed her a "race card player" on social media last year.

When she ignited debate around the women's game and Wright's stature she initially said: "I've worked with Ian a long time and I think he's a brilliant broadcaster. But I think he's aware of just how much he's doing in the women's game.

"I think he should be aware of that. There is a limited amount of space available. I can't dominate the men's game in the way that – you know, you used Ian as an example – Ian is dominating the women’s game.

"We need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway to broadcasting in the women's game. It is still new, it is still growing. There is a very fine amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that."

Aluko has attempted to explain her initial statement, saying she was "trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football" but added that "it was wrong for lan's name to be raised".

In response Wright said: "I've got to say, I'm very disappointed about what Eni has said, she knows how I've helped her, supported her publicly, and I know the previous conversations she's had with me and my management. I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it, but I also want to move on."

Alongside his constant support of the women's game Wright has also earned particular praise after it emerged he paid for Stoke City Women star Kayleigh McDonald's rehabilitation from an ACL injury out of his own pocket.

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