Keeper Mary Earps has openly declared that her newly released autobiography was never intended to “damage others” and shared worry that public reaction has been “distorted.”
Controversial Comments and Fan Backlash
The ex-Lionesses goalkeeper, who had a vital part in the Euro 2022 victory, faced backlash from followers and Blues coach Sonia Bompastor after making remarks about past Lioness Hannah Hampton and head coach Sarina Wiegman.
In her autobiography, Earps allegedly stated told Wiegman she was “rewarding bad behaviour” by recalling Hampton to the England squad after omitting her for being “disruptive and unreliable.”
“It’s been really overwhelming to see how parts were misrepresented,” Earps told reporters.
Clarifying Her Purpose
Earps clearly stated that her book was never intended to hurt others.
- “This book wasn’t written to tear anyone down in any manner.”
- “That isn’t my personality as a human being.”
- “These are real events. It has implications. 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 scrutinized heavily for audience entertainment.
Dynamic with the Manager
Earps discussed losing her spot as the starting goalkeeper before the European Championship and how that strained her relationship with Wiegman.
She explained it was “not a rapid decline” in their dynamic—just a clash of viewpoints—and she still respects the head coach.
“Certain events that occurred during that period that I hoped had unfolded otherwise,” Earps stated.
Personal Struggles
In her memoir, Earps shared details of the mistreatment she experienced at in her younger years, describing it as a “extremely difficult” chapter to revisit because it brought back previous trauma.
- “I failed to defend myself back then.”
- “I frequently thought that people disapproved of me for a long time.”
- “I became accustomed to feel like people were indifferent.”
These feelings led to anxiety episodes, and Earps disclosed she struggled with body image and used alcohol during the Covid pandemic to handle emotional difficulties.
Relationships and Goals
Earps publicly revealed that she is in a relationship with a woman and shared her happiness about her connection with Kitty.
She also talked about her wish to have children and revealed she has frozen her eggs for future use.
“I really want to be a mum and have a family,” Earps stated. “I am passionate about soccer, but I hope to have a child later down the line.”
Earps characterized the egg-freezing procedure as “overwhelming and personal” and pushed for more investigation tailored to players undergoing equivalent processes.
In her statements, Earps maintained that she has no regrets about her career or life decisions, stressing that she always acted with integrity.
