Simon Jordan clarifies viral conversation with Eni Aluko
Simon Jordan has set the record straight about his viral ad break conversation with Eni Aluko, dismissing claims made by a lip reader quoted in the Daily Mail, reports BritPanorama.
Speaking on Wednesday’s edition of White and Jordan on talkSPORT, the former Crystal Palace chairman rejected the newspaper’s interpretation of what was said during Tuesday’s heated exchange.
The Mail had reported that an expert lip reader claimed Jordan told Aluko: “But nobody cares, drop this. It’s definitely you. I know it. I know.” “I didn’t say that,” Jordan stated firmly, branding the lip reader “clueless” and accusing him of “making it up as he goes along.”
Jordan clarified what he actually told the former England international during the commercial break, stating, “What I said to Eni in the break was that you were foolish to go for Ian Wright.”
He elaborated, expressing that Aluko’s criticisms of Wright were unwarranted, especially given Wright’s status as a respected figure in football. “For whatever reason he is a national treasure. You are silly to have done that and it is your own fault. You brought this on yourself,” Jordan added.
The off-air conversation, described by Jordan as “a fluid exchange” that “wasn’t hostile,” referenced Aluko’s previous public dispute with Wright. The exchange stemmed from Aluko’s recent podcast comments suggesting women’s football should be “gatekept,” advocating for experienced former players to hold broadcasting positions.
This sparked significant debate, leading to criticism from former talkSPORT presenter Laura Woods, who argued that simply having caps does not guarantee opportunities in the industry.
During Tuesday’s programme, Jordan delivered a scathing assessment of Aluko’s punditry credentials, describing her performance as lacking engagement, stating she was not “particularly enlightening, illuminating, engaging or charismatic.” He further accused her of exhibiting a sense of entitlement, remarking, “I think the language you use is steeped in entitlement. I don’t think you’re owed anything.”
In her defence, Aluko cited her extensive 11-year career in punditry and highlighted her groundbreaking role as the first female pundit on Match of the Day in 2014. “I listen to the professional, the people who have hired me for the last 11 years, the biggest broadcasters in the world,” she responded, asserting her credibility in the field.
Aluko argued that her collaborations with respected broadcasters validate her standing, concluding, “By default, if I’m working with the people who are considered brilliant broadcasters. If I’m next to them, then by default I’m considered also a brilliant broadcaster,” emphasizing that no employer had ever indicated she was “struggling.”
In the world of sports broadcasting, the conversation reveals not only the dynamics of public disputes but also how reputations can be shaped through conflict. The unfolding interactions between figures like Jordan and Aluko are a reminder of the complex interplay of ambition and critique within the football community.
