'The least TV I've ever done' - Ex-Chelsea & Lionesses star Eni Aluko reveals detrimental effect of legal battle with Joey Barton on her punditry career

Former Newcastle United player Barton was charged with alleged malicious communications towards ex-Chelsea forward Aluko last year, who has has been in a legal battle with the 42-year-old since then. As a result, Aluko says the amount of work she has been hired for over the past 18 months is the "least TV" she's ever done.

She told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour: "This happens in lots of industries - when women stand up for themselves, their career takes a hit. I've been doing broadcasting for 11 years. I'm not new to it. And in the last 18 months I've done the least TV I've ever done. That's just a fact. That's not a feeling, that's an opinion. That's a fact. So I think people can draw their own conclusions from that. There is a double standard where there is still a limited amount of opportunities for women, female broadcasters, both in the men's and the women's game. We're still competing for two or three seats maximum, which includes the presenters. What the Joey Bartons, and some male football fans, want is for women to get off the TV."

Aluko claimed she faced threats of violence and abuse on social media off the back of Barton's tweets - something a judge ruled was defamatory. The ex-Juventus attacker has also accused Arsenal legend Ian Wright of blocking opportunities for female pundits in women's football.

She said on Women's Hour: "I’ve worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he’s a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he’s aware of just how much he’s doing in the women’s game. I think he should be aware of that. The fact of the matter is, there is a limited amount of spaces available. If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity in the men’s game for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game, it’s a free for all. But that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example."

Aluko and Barton will wait to see what comes of this ongoing legal battle. The latter is yet to respond and could appeal the initial verdict.