Keeper Mary Earps has openly declared that her newly released autobiography was not designed to “criticize individuals” and shared worry that media response has been “distorted.”
Disputed Remarks and Supporters’ Disapproval
The retired international player, who had a vital part in the tournament success, received criticism from supporters and Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor after sharing views about past Lioness Hannah Hampton and coach Sarina Wiegman.
In her autobiography, Earps wrote that she told Wiegman she was “supporting poor attitude” by recalling Hampton to the Lionesses lineup after omitting her for being “disruptive and unreliable.”
“I’ve found it quite intense to see how certain aspects were twisted,” Earps shared in an interview.
Defending Her Intentions
Earps firmly declared that her memoir was not meant to harm individuals.
- “I’ve not written this book to criticize others in any way whatsoever.”
- “That is not who I am as a individual.”
- “This is real life. It has consequences. It is not a show.”
She also discussed how women’s football has evolved into a realm that has become “somewhat similar to show business,” where personal lives are scrutinized heavily for public amusement.
Connection to the Coach
Earps discussed being replaced as England’s number one before the European Championship and how that created tension with Wiegman.
She stated it was “not a rapid decline” in their connection—just a clash of viewpoints—and she maintains respect for the coach.
“Certain events that took place at that time that I would have preferred to go another way,” Earps stated.
Private Challenges
In the autobiography, Earps shared details of the bullying she suffered at in her younger years, describing it as a “really hard” part to revisit because it reawakened past pain.
- “I failed to defend myself in those days.”
- “I frequently thought that people were against me for a long time.”
- “I was conditioned to feel like nobody really cares.”
These feelings led to stress outbreaks, and Earps disclosed she struggled with physical appearance and used alcohol during the lockdown period to cope with emotional difficulties.
Relationships and Goals
Earps openly discussed that she is in a relationship with a woman and expressed pride about her relationship.
She also talked about her desire to be a mother and revealed she has preserved her eggs for later fertility treatment.
“I deeply desire to be a parent and have a family,” Earps commented. “I am passionate about soccer, but I aspire to have a child at a later stage.”
Earps characterized the egg-freezing procedure as “overwhelming and personal” and advocated for more research tailored to sports professionals undergoing comparable treatments.
Throughout the interview, Earps reiterated that she has no second thoughts about her professional journey or individual actions, emphasizing that she always behaved honestly.
