ENI ALUKO will not feature as a pundit for any of the European finals following her public bust-up with Ian Wright.
The former England Women’s star insinuated some male pundits, like Wright, risked blocking opportunities for women by taking up space in women’s sports.
Eni Aluko will not feature for TNT Sports in any of the three European finalsPA
AlamyAluko apologised to Ian Wright after insinuating he risked blocking opportunities for female pundits[/caption]
Wright subsequently rejected Aluko’s apology, stating he felt upset given the support he has shown her in the past.
Now Aluko has been left off punditry duty by TNT Sports, so will not feature at the Champions League final, nor the Europa League and Conference League finals.
Aluko, 38, has appeared regularly as a pundit on Conference League matches featuring her former side Chelsea.
She provided analysis for matches against Panathinaikos, Noah, and Copenhagen, but will be absent for Chelsea’s final clash with Real Betis.
Aluko has also been used by TNT Sports for Premier League and WSL matches this season, but last worked on March 27.
Since then she’s had a fall out with Wright after suggesting there is a “finite amount of opportunities” for women and “men need to be aware of that”.
Aluko later said sorry after receiving a lot of backlash for her comments, but Wright said he could not accept her apology.
He said: “I’m very disappointed by what Eni has said.
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“She knows how I have helped her and 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 from it. I don’t need any further social commentary directed at anyone.”
TNT Sports have confirmed their punditry and commentary line-ups for all three finals, with Peter Crouch also left off the roster for all three.
Instead Rio Ferdinand will appear twice, including the Champions League final where he will be joined by Karen Carney and Owen Hargreaves.
The former Manchester United star will be in attendance to see the Red Devils take on Tottenham in Bilbao – ex-Spurs hero Gareth Bale will be there for TNT Sports alongside Glenn Hoddle, Robbie Savage and Paul Scholes.
Michail Antonio, Joe Cole, and Steve Sidwell have been picked for the Europa Conference League final.
SunSport has contacted TNT Sports for comment.
TNT Sports’ European finals teams
Champions League: Paris Saint-Germain vs Inter Milan – May 31
Presenters: Reshmin Chowdhury & Laura Woods
Pundits: Karen Carney, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves
Commentary: Darren Fletcher & Ally McCoist
Reporter: Jules Breach
Europa League: Tottenham vs Manchester United – May 21
Presenters: Jules Breach & Lynsey Hipgrave
Pundits: Gareth Bale, Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Hoddle, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes
Commentary: Darren Fletcher & Ally McCoist
Reporter: Danny Jamieson
Europa Conference League: Chelsea vs Real Betis – May 28
Presenter: Emma Dodds
Pundits: Michail Antonio, Joe Cole, Steve Sidwell
Commentary: Adam Summerton & Lucy Ward
Reporter: Becky Ives
PARio Ferdinand will be a pundit at two European finals for TNT Sports[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]