Three Lionesses pick their side in Ian Wright vs Eni Aluko row with clear show of support

Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, and Mary Earps have seemingly thrown their support behind Ian Wright amidst his row with former England player Eni Aluko. Aluko, who has retracted her remarks since, had accused the Arsenal legend of monopolising the women's game and limiting opportunities for others.

Wright is a well-known supporter of women's football and is frequently seen as a pundit during Lionesses matches, often sharing the screen with Aluko.

Aluko has held various posts in women's football following her retirement but suggested that Wright's prominent position in the sport leads to fewer chances for other women.

Wright has responded, stating he "cannot accept" the subsequent apology from Aluko, seeking to contextualise her words. To this defence by Wright, many leading figures in women's football, including Hemp, Russo, and Earps, have reacted with support, liking his response on social media.

The Arsenal women’s team members Katie McCabe, Daphne van Domselaar, Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Katie Reid, along with ex-Arsenal star Cloe Lacasse, also showed solidarity by liking Wright's post, reports the Mirror.

In addition, while speaking about her opinions regarding Wright, Aluko mentioned that her commentary career had been affected by an argument with former Manchester City player Joey Barton, whom she is taking legal action against for defamation. Barton referred to her as a "race card player" in a post last year.

Sparking a discussion on representation in the women's game, Eniola Aluko initially remarked: "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."

She continued, "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 later tried to contextualise her earlier comments by asserting she was "trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football" but accepted that "it was wrong for Ian's name to be raised".

Responding to the controversy, Wright expressed his disappointment: "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."

Beyond showcasing his advocacy for the women's game, Wright has received commendation upon revelations that he financed Stoke City Women player Kayleigh McDonald's recovery from an ACL injury using his own funds.