Laura Woods has condemned Eni Aluko’s calls to restrict male punditry in women’s football, labeling the “by women, for women” ideology as a regressive move for the sport’s commercial and social growth.
Broadcaster Laura Woods has publicly challenged Eni Aluko after the former striker suggested women’s football coverage should be “by women, for women.”
Aluko reignited a long-standing feud by criticizing the inclusion of male pundits like Ian Wright and Nedum Onuoha in major women’s finals.
Woods countered that gatekeeping hinders growth, stating, “Caps don’t win automatic work and they don’t make a brilliant pundit either.”
Woods argued that Aluko’s perspective threatens the progression of the sport by alienating male audiences and allies.
She emphasized that quality broadcasting depends on research and chemistry rather than gender or playing experience.
Aluko maintains that women are being displaced in their own game, stating, “The women’s game should be by women, for women.
Male allies should absolutely support that, but when it gets to the point where you are the main character… we are just repeating the patriarchal stuff.”