talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan has revealed what he said during a viral off-air moment following an incendiary critique of Eni Aluko delivered directly to her on Tuesday morning. The former Chelsea and England women’s player first made headlines last April after accusing punditry partner Ian Wright of “blocking” opportunities in the women’s game.
She was quickly forced to apologise, but this week – without any encouragement from others – she doubled down on her remarks by criticising ITV and the BBC’s pundit selections for England’s 2025 European Championship final, again referencing Wright as well as Nedum Onuoha. She also outlined why she believed she merited a role, pointing to her 102 international caps.
Laura Woods was among those to respond on social media. However, when Aluko attempted to clarify her comments in the talkSPORT studio this week, it led to a heated exchange in which Jordan strongly criticised her. He said she did not come across as “enlightening, illuminating, engaging or charismatic,” adding that she appeared unlikeable and that her “self-entitlement could re-sink the Titanic.”
Simon Jordan Has Not Held Back During Heated Interview With Eni Aluko
The former England Lioness appeared on talkSPORT’s breakfast show and sat next to a coiled-up Simon Jordan as she faced a barrage of criticism.
Simon Jordan Reveals What He Said to Eni Aluko Off-air
While Jim White did well to ensure the full 11-minute segment was as balanced as possible, with Aluko able to speak about how the main punditry roles in women’s football should be given to women – which Jordan agreed with – his brutal criticism of her continued even during the ad break, which was captured in a viral video.
A lip-reader attempted to work out exactly what was being said, claiming it was: “But nobody cares, drop this. It’s definitely you. I know it. I know.” However, after the interpretation circulated in the media, the former Crystal Palace owner came out to correct it, revealing what was actually said.
He explained (see below): “I didn’t say that. First of all, I didn’t launch a blistering attack on Eni. You asked me to repeat what I said about her on the previous show. So I did. I think that has a bit of integrity. I also qualified myself in that situation by saying a lot of people might think that about me.
“What I said to Eni in the break was that you were foolish to go for Ian Wright. 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.
“It was a fluid exchange. It wasn’t hostile. That lip-reader is in the same territory as George Bush… ‘read my lips there will be no more tax rises’. He’s clueless. He’s making it up as he goes along.”
He also took a swipe at the Daily Mail for being among the first to use the lip-readers assessment, concluding: “It’s a fishing expedition. I expect better from the Daily Fail.”
Ian Wright Remains Silent in Second Aluko Episode
Aluko first criticised Wrighty for blocking opportunities in the women’s game and then, perhaps optimistically, appeared to expect him to back her corner and support her as she faced the backlash to her comments. In the first stage of the dispute, the retired Arsenal and England forward spoke out and rejected her apology.
This week, he has chosen not to fan the flames, remaining silent on his former ITV partner’s second jab at him. Instead, he has let his work across both sides of the game do the talking, and he remains a national icon, adored by the masses, as Aluko contends with the fact that ‘Uncle Ian’ – as he’s known among his supporters – is happy to remain uninvolved, no matter how often old wounds are reopened.
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