Goalkeeper Mary Earps has publicly stated that her recently published memoir was not designed to “tear anyone down” and expressed concern that media response has been “distorted.”
Disputed Remarks and Public Criticism
The ex-Lionesses player, who had a vital part in the championship win, faced backlash from supporters and Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor after making remarks about former team-mate Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman.
In her memoir, Earps allegedly stated told Wiegman she was “rewarding bad behaviour” by recalling Hampton to the national team after omitting her for being “problematic and undependable.”
“The response has been immense to see how parts were misrepresented,” Earps told reporters.
Explaining Her Motives
Earps firmly declared that her book was never intended to damage anyone.
- “This book wasn’t written to tear anyone down in any way whatsoever.”
- “That doesn’t reflect my character as a person.”
- “These are real events. It has consequences. It isn’t a drama.”
She also remarked about how the women’s game has moved into an area that has become “somewhat similar to show business,” where individual stories are analyzed in detail for public amusement.
Connection to the Coach
Earps mentioned being replaced as the first-choice keeper ahead of the tournament and how that affected their dynamic with Wiegman.
She explained it was “not a sudden deterioration” in their connection—just a divergence in opinions—and she continues to admire the head coach.
“There were things that took place at that time that I wish had happened differently,” Earps added.
Individual Difficulties
In her book, Earps opened up about the harassment she endured at school, describing it as a “extremely difficult” part to read again because it brought back previous trauma.
- “I failed to defend myself back then.”
- “I just assumed that people disapproved of me for most of my life.”
- “I became accustomed to feel like nobody really cares.”
These emotions led to stress outbreaks, and Earps disclosed she faced challenges with physical appearance and turned to alcohol during the Covid pandemic to handle mental health struggles.
Personal Life and Future Plans
Earps publicly revealed that she is in a partnership with Kitty and stated she is proud about her connection with Kitty.
She also mentioned her hopes for motherhood and revealed she has undergone egg freezing for future use.
“I really want to be a parent and have a family,” Earps commented. “I enjoy my football career, but I hope to have a child in the future.”
Earps characterized the egg-freezing procedure as “overwhelming and personal” and pushed for more studies tailored to players undergoing equivalent processes.
During her remarks, Earps reiterated that she has no feelings of remorse about her sports path or personal choices, stressing that she always behaved honestly.
