Aluko has come under fire for an honest mistake.
Eniola Aluko has hit back at her critics after she was pulled up for a simple and honest mistake live on ITV.
Aluko was working as part of the punditry team for Brazil’s comfortable 4-1 win against South Korea on Monday night.
As part of the build-up to the game, Aluko and the two other pundits – Graeme Souness and Roy Keane – analysed the form of Brazilian striker Richarlison.
During their insight, Aluko discussed Richarlison’s goal record at international level. “He’s the top scorer for Brazil over the last two years.
“He’s for a great record – 19 goals in 40 games, do the math and it’s a goal-a-game pretty much.”
Eni Aluko: ‘Richarlison has 19 goals in 40 games, you do the math that’s a goal a game’ pic.twitter.com/s5dkW6j6PL
— Scott E (@ScottEaglen) December 5, 2022
"We talk about Brazil's flair and skill, but it's their work rate that impresses me!" 🇧🇷@EniAlu lauds Richarlison with praise for his high intensity on the pitch! 🙌#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ngdbPxnqhE
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 5, 2022
Although the error was nothing more than an innocent mistake, thousands piled on the former England international, with one video highlighting the mistake racking up almost two million views on social media.
Almost 24 hours later Aluko has responded to the criticism, saying that “maths wasn’t always her forte”.
“Got myself a First class law degree, 102 caps & a Doctorate but Maths wasn’t always my forte. Nearly 1 in 2 games is the math on Richarlison. But some of you weirdo twitterati knew that already. Might also learn from the rest of the analysis conveniently ignored.”
Got myself a First class law degree, 102 caps & a Doctorate but Maths wasn’t always my forte☺️
Nearly 1 in 2 games is the math on Richarlison. But some of you weirdo twitterati knew that already.
Might also learn from the rest of the analysis conveniently ignored. https://t.co/AyD3cugkyJ
— Eniola Aluko MBE (@EniAlu) December 6, 2022
Fellow ITV pundit Ian Wright also leapt to the defence of his colleague and told those quick to judge Aluko to “grow up”.
He tweeted: “I’ve made countless mistakes live on air. The replies to this are horrible. You man are so pressed by women in football that you take pure pleasure in this. Grow up.”
I've made countless mistakes live on air. The replies to this are horrible. You man are so pressed by women in football that you take pure pleasure in this. Grow up. https://t.co/QEwMl4ek9Q
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) December 6, 2022
In 2014 Aluko made history by becoming the first female pundit to appear on BBC’s Match of the Day and after retiring from football in 2020, has become a regular pundit on programmes aired on the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports.
