Simon Jordan criticises Eni Aluko’s punditry abilities
Simon Jordan has lashed out at Eni Aluko, declaring her not to be ‘particularly enlightening, illuminating, engaging or charismatic,’ during a live discussion on talkSPORT, reports BritPanorama.
Aluko’s comments had sparked outrage on social media when she suggested that men should step back from prominent roles within women’s football. This assertion particularly infuriated fans when she named Ian Wright, previously accused by her of limiting opportunities for female pundits, despite his significant contributions to the sport’s growth.
In the wake of criticism for her remarks on Wright and fellow pundit Nedum Onuoha, who were featured during the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 final victory over Spain, Aluko advocated for ‘gatekeeping’ within women’s football to ensure female representation takes precedence.
Speaking on Tuesday, Aluko attempted to clarify her stance, emphasising the importance of experience in punditry. “I think 270 caps represent experience and the insight you can bring to the game,” she explained. However, she maintained that merit and skillset must also factor into pundit selections.
While Jordan claimed to grasp Aluko’s viewpoint, he did not hesitate to critique her skills as a pundit, asserting that her expertise does not align with her perception. “I think we live in a society where people don’t have the experience and substance, [masquerading] as experts,” he noted, while simultaneously challenging Aluko’s understanding of commercial football.
Jordan further argued that, with due respect, women have little expertise in men’s football, highlighting the distinctions in tactics between the two games. “The speed, the scale, the pressure, the physicality. They are vastly different games,” he insisted, suggesting that while Aluko’s insights could be valuable, they may not encompass commercial realities.
The back-and-forth over gender representation in football punditry underscores deeper issues regarding visibility and meritocracy in sports narratives, particularly as women continue to reclaim space in historically male-dominated territories.
In an environment where opinions clash and debates unfold, one wonders how the balance will shift — after all, confirming who speaks for whom in sport remains as controversial as the games themselves.
