Goalkeeper Mary Earps has emphatically said that her freshly launched autobiography was not designed to “criticize individuals” and shared worry that public reaction has been “misrepresented.”
Disputed Remarks and Fan Backlash
The retired international goalkeeper, who was instrumental in the championship win, encountered disapproval from fans and Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor after commenting about former team-mate Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman.
In her book, Earps wrote that she told Wiegman she was “rewarding bad behaviour” by bringing Hampton back to the England squad after omitting her for being “disruptive and unreliable.”
“I’ve found it quite intense to see how parts were misrepresented,” Earps shared in an interview.
Clarifying Her Purpose
Earps firmly declared that her book was not designed to damage anyone.
- “This book wasn’t written to tear anyone down in any manner.”
- “That isn’t my personality as a individual.”
- “These are real events. It has consequences. It isn’t a drama.”
She also discussed how the women’s game has entered a space that has become “almost like performance,” where personal lives are picked apart for people’s enjoyment.
Dynamic with the Manager
Earps discussed losing her spot as the first-choice keeper before the European Championship and how that strained her relationship with Wiegman.
She clarified it was “not an abrupt downfall” in their connection—just a clash of viewpoints—and she continues to admire the manager.
“There were things that took place at that time that I would have preferred to go another way,” Earps remarked.
Private Challenges
In the autobiography, Earps shared details of the bullying she suffered at during her education, describing it as a “extremely difficult” part to go back to because it revived previous trauma.
- “I couldn’t assert myself back then.”
- “I always believed that people were against me for the majority of my years.”
- “I was conditioned to feel like nobody really cares.”
These sentiments led to stress outbreaks, and Earps shared she struggled with body image and turned to alcohol during the Covid pandemic to manage emotional difficulties.
Personal Life and Future Plans
Earps openly discussed that she is in a relationship with a woman and shared her happiness about her relationship.
She also mentioned her wish to have children and revealed she has frozen her eggs for potential family planning.
“I really want to be a parent and have a family,” Earps commented. “I am passionate about soccer, but I wish to have a child in the future.”
Earps described the medical treatment as “crazy and invasive” and pushed for more investigation tailored to sports professionals undergoing equivalent processes.
In her statements, Earps maintained that she has no regrets about her sports path or personal choices, stressing that she always behaved honestly.
