Ian Wright has described Lord Alan Sugar's criticism of the BBC's Women's Euros coverage as "complete f****** foolishness" and says the businessman's grievances do not exist.
Last week, Sugar took to Twitter to complain that "ALL the commentators" for the tournament are women and claimed that men's football coverage always includes "a symbolic female commentator to cover the broadcasters [sic] arse".
Jonathan Pearce is one of the BBC’s three lead commentators for the tournament, along with Robyn Cowan and Vicki Sparks, while their pundits include Wright, Jonas Eidvall and Scott Booth, and there are a number of male voices on their radio coverage.
Wright was on co-commentary for the BBC's coverage of England's record-breaking 8-0 win over Norway on Monday night and, quoting his previous tweet, Lord Sugar wrote: "I wonder if my earlier tweet below touched a nerve. Of course BBC sport will say not at all, Ian was already lined up for it".
Wright hit back in a video message to the former Tottenham chairman, saying his "ego is totally out of control" and pointing out that he has been lined up for the delayed Euros for a year.
"Alan, the thing is my friend, rather than just saying, 'I got it wrong, lots of men working at all levels of the tournament,' you doubled down on some complete fucking foolishness," the former Arsenal striker said.
"So in your mind, you actually thought after you sent that tweet that the BBC phoned me up -- never mind the fact that we've been ready to do this for a year, I've been booked for a year -- you genuinely think they called me up and said and said, 'Ian you've got to get back from Germany ASAP, Alan Sugar's tweeted and we can't upset him, we need to get you on.'
https://t.co/gD7uivbko8 pic.twitter.com/rdzCudtYrv
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) July 12, 2022
"You genuinely think that happened? Because I need to know. That says to me that your ego is totally out of control! Where's the people around you to hug you, bro?
"You need some hugs man! Coming on Twtter for attention like this, it's laughable. Stop doing it to yourself."
Wright, who has long been a vocal supporter of the women's game, added that he often hears ex-players belittling the sport and joked that he hoped Lord Sugar would tweet again so he could watch the Lionesses final group game against Northern Ireland on Friday.
"But I've got to say thank you for that tweet. Because if it wasn't for you I'd have missed one the greatest England games that's ever been played!” he said.
"The thing is, all seriousness, I'm glad you're watching. And the only thing you can find fault with doesn't even exist. I sit in rooms with ex-players belittling the women's game all the time. I'm so glad it annoys you and all of them.
“Can I just say, I hope you enjoy the rest of the tournament. Can you please tweet again so I can work Friday? Please. God bless."
