![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/steph-houghton.png\")
\n\t\tHoughton paid tribute to her friend Wright (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tHoughton paid tribute to her friend Wright (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n
Eni Aluko<\/a>\u2019s former England teammate Steph\u00a0Houghton has leapt to the defence of Ian Wright<\/a> and his \u2018unbelievable\u2019 support of women\u2019s football.<\/p>\n Aluko sparked a major backlash after claiming Arsenal<\/a> legend Wright was \u2018blocking opportunities\u2019 for female pundits, insisting he needed to \u2018be aware\u2019 of the amount of punditry work he is involved in<\/a>.<\/p>\n The former Chelsea star issued a public apology to Wright two days later<\/a>, describing him as a \u2018brilliant broadcaster and role model\u2019. <\/p>\n Wright however did not accept the apology, insisting he would rather \u2018move on\u2019 from the row.<\/a><\/p>\n Wright is a proud advocate for the women\u2019s game at club and international level, regularly on punditry duty for ITV\u2019s coverage of the Lionesses \u2013 often alongside Aluko.<\/p>\n The broadcaster issued a statement on Tuesday backing Wright<\/a> with former England star Houghton the latest to defend the former striker.<\/p>\n Appearing on \u2018Crossways \u2013 A Women\u2019s Football Show\u2019 along with Houghton, Wright said: \u2018It\u2019s been a bit of an up-and-down week. But at the end of the day, it\u2019s all sorted.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s always good to see you Steph, because you make me smile. It\u2019s been quite a tough week.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Houghton, who was part of the England set up with Aluko from 2007 to 2016, jumped in to pay a glowing tribute to the Londoner, describing him as a \u2018superhero\u2019.<\/p>\n Houghton said: \u2018Ian, can I just say this, and this has not been pre-empted, I think I posted on Instagram: What you have done for our game is unbelievable and you\u2019ve got to take all the credit that everybody\u2019s thrown at you this last week because you are a super-hero. And I love working with you.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I love you Steph,\u2019 Wright responded. \u2018To see you come out publicly like that for me it\u2019s just nice.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018But I just wish\u2026 it\u2019s not about the individual in the women\u2019s game, it\u2019s just about the collective.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m not going to go into it, but I just really appreciate the public support that I got.\u2019<\/p>\n Aluko was scheduled to co-host the third edition of the Women\u2019s Football Awards on Thursday<\/a> but yesterday announced she would be stepping back from the role.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018The Women\u2019s Football Awards hold a special place in my heart. It was the first time an event of this scale was created solely to celebrate the incredible achievements in women\u2019s football, and I\u2019m so proud to have been part of it since the beginning,\u2019 a statement began.<\/p>\n \u2018However, I\u2019ve decided to take a step back from being part of the hosting lineup this year. I don\u2019t want anything to deflect from the joy, recognition, and celebration that this event is all about.<\/p>\n \u2018This event belongs to the players, coaches, fans, and everyone who has worked tirelessly to elevate the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n \u2018The awards will be hosted in the very capable hands of Gabby Logan and Jamie Carragher, who I know will bring their passion and energy to the stage. I love women\u2019s football deeply, I\u2019m proud of how far we\u2019ve come, and I\u2019ll absolutely be back involved\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0future.\u2019<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1829284059-6310.jpg\")
\n\t\tAluko apologised for her comments this week (Picture: AMA\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1340950040-1133.jpg\")
\n\t\tWright and Aluko often worked alongside each other (Picture: Catherine Ivill\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Germany](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-480087914.jpg\")
\n\t\tHoughton and Aluko are former Lionesses teammates (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: Ian Wright \u2018very surprised\u2019 by Mikel Arteta tactic during Arsenal\u2019s defeat to PSG<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: Ian Wright names PSG\u2019s possible weak link against Arsenal<\/a><\/p>\n