Laura Woods declines to defend Eni Aluko’s comments
Laura Woods has openly stated her decision not to support Eni Aluko after the ex-England Lionesses forward launched another criticism regarding the opportunity for female pundits within football, reports BritPanorama.
In early 2025, Aluko sparked controversy by claiming that ITV’s decision to feature Ian Wright as a pundit affected her chances of being on screen. Following this incident, she apologised to Wright, who later expressed he could not accept her apology.
Aluko continued to voice her frustrations on the 90s Baby Show, expressing her belief that women’s football should focus more on women as the main figures in its coverage. She emphasised that although diversity is important, the prominent roles in women’s football analysis should reflect the contributions of female players.
“In the women’s game the opportunities are even more limited, so the main characters of the show should be the women,” Aluko declared. She further argued that the evolution of women’s football, marked by significant effort and sacrifice, should not culminate in a scenario where men overshadow women’s achievements in their sport.
Aluko noted the disparity in pundit representation at major matches, pointing out that even with formidable female players, such as Fara Williams—holder of many England caps—often absent from on-air roles during crucial games, systematic issues remain in how women’s sports are presented on television.
Following Aluko’s remarks, Woods reacted on social media, simply replying “Nope” when asked if she would defend Aluko’s statements. This response further illustrates the growing complexity of the conversation surrounding gender roles in sports broadcasting.
Amidst evolving discussions on representation and equality in sports media, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges and the persistent need for equitable opportunities in sports commentary and analysis.
