Keeper Mary Earps has publicly stated that her recently published memoir was never intended to “criticize individuals” and shared worry that media response has been “misinterpreted.”
Debated Statements and Supporters’ Disapproval
The ex-Lionesses player, who had a vital part in the tournament success, encountered disapproval from fans and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor after sharing views about former team-mate Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman.
In her book, Earps allegedly stated told Wiegman she was “encouraging negative conduct” by bringing Hampton back to the England squad after leaving her out for being “unruly and inconsistent.”
“I’ve found it quite intense to see how certain aspects were twisted,” Earps shared in an interview.
Explaining Her Motives
Earps clearly stated that the autobiography was not designed to harm individuals.
- “I’ve not written this book to tear anyone down in any manner.”
- “That doesn’t reflect my character as a person.”
- “These are real events. It has repercussions. It is not entertainment.”
She also remarked about how women’s football has evolved into a realm that has become “a bit like entertainment,” where individual stories are scrutinized heavily for public amusement.
Connection to the Coach
Earps mentioned being replaced as the starting goalkeeper ahead of the tournament and how that strained her relationship with Wiegman.
She stated it was “not an abrupt downfall” in their relationship—just a divergence in opinions—and she maintains respect for the coach.
“There were things that took place at that time that I wish had happened differently,” Earps remarked.
Private Challenges
In the autobiography, Earps opened up about the harassment she endured at in her younger years, describing it as a “extremely difficult” part to go back to because it reawakened past pain.
- “I didn’t stand up back then.”
- “I frequently thought that people disapproved of me for the majority of my years.”
- “I was conditioned to feel like no one truly cared.”
These feelings led to stress outbreaks, and Earps shared she struggled with self-perception and resorted to drinking during the Covid pandemic to cope with anxiety and depression.
Personal Life and Future Plans
Earps recently shared that she is in a partnership with Kitty and stated she is proud about her connection with Kitty.
She also talked about her wish to have children and revealed she has frozen her eggs for potential family planning.
“I would love to be a mum and have a family,” Earps stated. “I love playing football, but I aspire to have a child in the future.”
Earps portrayed the fertility process as “overwhelming and personal” and advocated for more investigation tailored to players undergoing comparable treatments.
During her remarks, Earps maintained that she has no regrets about her professional journey or life decisions, stressing that she always acted with integrity.
