Ian Wright and Alan Sugar in public Twitter spat over Women’s Euros tweet

Ian Wright and Alan Sugar get in a rather public Twitter spat over a Women’s Euros tweet issued by The Apprentice presenter.

Alan Sugar reignited his Women’s Euros BBC punditry row with the 75-year-old causing outrage last week by suggesting he should complain about there being no male commentators on a game… even though Jonathan Pearce was on commentary for the game Alan was watching.

Sugar wrote on Saturday: “I am watching the women football and notice that ALL the commentators are women.

“I also note when men’s football is on there is a symbolic female commentator to cover the broadcaster’s arse. Should I complain there should be a male commentator in women’s football.”

Popular host Gabby Logan hit back: “We have plenty of men working on this tournament Lord Sugar, don’t fret you’re not being eradicated.”

After Ian Wright and Jonas Eidevall appeared on the panel for England’s 8-0 trouncing of Norway last night, Sugar reopened the row.

He quoted his previous tweet, writing: “I was pleased to see my old mate Ian Wright was given the opportunity to commentate on the ladies game last night.

“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.”

Dan Walker replied: “Option 1: The BBC saw you tweet and decided to use Wrighty 😳.

“Option 2: He has already worked on the tournament and was booked in yonks ago ✅.

“In response to your earlier tweet about commentators… may I humbly refer you to the work of Jonathan Pearce [who has been commentating on the tournament].

“Enjoy the sunshine.”

Sugar was also called out during the coverage of England’s win, with the hosts going 6-0 up, BBC commentator Robin Cowen said: “We just had a lovely studio shot of one our studio guests, Jonas Eidevall, one of our symbolic men. Good evening, Lord Sugar!”

Alan Sugar said on Tuesday morning: “I was pleased to see my old mate Ian Wright was given the opportunity to commentate on the ladies game last night. 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 @IanWright0”

Ian Wright put Alan in his place, saying in a video: “Can everyone please just stop sending me the tweet? You know, and Sugar tweet.

“I was taking my daughter to singing lessons and the tweets just it’s it’s blowing up. It’s just it’s doing my head in.

“I can can’t believe it.Alan the thing is, my friend, rather than just say I got it wrong, lots of men are working at all levels at a tournament, which you doubled down on some complete foolishness.

“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 that they called up 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’.

“You genuinely believe that that happened? Because I need to know. Because that says to me, my God, your ego is out of totally out of control.

“Where’s the people around you to hug you? Bro, you need some hugs, man. Look, you’re coming on here, coming on Twitter for attention like this, it’s laughable.

“Stop doing it to yourself. But I got to say thank you. Thank you, man, for that tweet.

“Because if it wasn’t for you, I missed one of the greatest ever England games that’s ever been played.

“The thing is, all seriousness, I’m glad you’re watching. And the only thing that you can find fault with doesn’t even exist.

“I sit in rooms I sit in these rooms of ex players, be little in the women’s game all the time. I’m so glad, and 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.

https://t.co/gD7uivbko8 pic.twitter.com/rdzCudtYrv

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) July 12, 2022

Of course, there was plenty of reaction as Ian Wright and Alan Sugar get in a public Twitter spat over that Women’s Euros tweet…

@Mallon7Niall: Ian Wright Wright Wright

@stupotstwit: He may be a proper gooner but my love for Ian Wright just went up ten fold after this. 😍

@1995Wilton: I don’t think it’s possible to not love Ian Wright

@Ev_Hance: Why’s his name Sugar & he’s Salty 😂😂

@AndyPow58062254: Once again proving to the world that he is indeed the bigger man. Well said Wrighty.

@lewis89996227: Wrighty is class

@ChardineTaylor: Alan Sugar giving a perfect example of the kind of patronising paternalistic attitude that some white folks have towards Black people – Ian Wright was a talented footballer who became a brilliant presenter – in his own right, with his own skill and natural charisma.

@DanDartsDawson: It feels like Ian Wright has been constantly rising in my estimations for about 25 years straight. He’s great.

@bkelly776: ‘Can you PLEASE tweet again so I can work on Friday’ is an absolute gold standard way to end

@NotesOnAWhim: I love Ian Wright. This response is God-like. Gooner or not, the man is brilliant.

@OddyTSB: Sugar handed his arse on a plate. Well played Wrighty

@NUFCEddie: Outstanding from @IanWright0. Laughed all the way through at this perfect response. Alan Sugar has lost the plot.

@meggaherne: Ian Wright is the best person on this planet and THE best ally for women’s football.

@LauraDale11: Wrighty you absolute legend!!! 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

@ConnerRoberts_: I don’t care that he’s ex Arsenal – bloody love Ian Wright. Always been a big advocate of the womens game and his response to Alan Sugar is just perfection 🤌🏼😂 #WEURO2022

@jack_ainslie: The ridiculous thing about his tweet apart from the sexism was that Jonathan Pearce was commentating on a game at the time!

@OllieGlanvill: His ego has been left unchecked for decades, he’s not worth any of your time Wrighty

@WalkernBoro: Ian. We were lucky enough to be sat under the TV position last night. We saw the passion first hand during the game. It’s clear your love for the England team extends to all forms of that team. You’re a great advocate and one of football’s greatest champions.

@Baldockboro: Women’s football is, rightly, growing exponentially. Its not ‘the same’ as men’s football but it’s just as entertaining and competitive. And #Lionesses are in the top 2-3 teams in the world, which is fucking brilliant.

@duckworth11: The giggles 🤣🤣🤣 so happy with this response what a guy!

@Aditimukherjee_: Pure Example of Why Ian Wright is the best. And an absolute King. Thank you for standing up for women’s football Wrighty. Your support means so much. We are lucky to have you in the game.

@RobJeffries: It’s like you’ve pretty much ignored everyone’s response the other night to you of “Jonathan Pearce is literally commentating”

@awfcbxmads: never diss women’s football or you’re facing ian wright 🤚🏼

@JoshAHobbs: I really want Ian Wright to be my pal

@PeterCass1981: Go back to bed

YES @IanWright0 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

This whole thing makes me want to go onto the Apprentice just so when I’m fired instead of backing away bowing saying ‘thank you for the opportunity’, saying ‘oh fuck off alan I didn’t want it anyway’ https://t.co/vyJBdzo1Vs

— Max Rushden 💙 (@maxrushden) July 12, 2022