Mary Earps Issues Apology for Controversial Memoir Passages
England and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Mary Earps has publicly apologised for contentious sections of her new autobiography that appeared to criticise her former national team head coach Sarina Wiegman and Lionesses teammate Hannah Hampton. The memoir, which details Earps' retirement from the England setup, sparked widespread attention for its blunt language, with Earps describing Wiegman's handling of her international career conclusion as 'bulls***'.
Controversial Claims About Team Dynamics
In the book, Earps also hinted at a strained relationship with fellow goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who has since become the Lionesses' first-choice shot-stopper. Earps claimed that Hampton's behaviour during the 2022 European Championship was 'overwhelmingly considered disruptive and unreliable, with a risk of being destructive'. These revelations created significant media scrutiny and divided opinions within the England squad.
Reflecting on the controversy months later, Earps admitted to Telegraph Sport that she now understands why those passages garnered so much attention. 'Now I can understand why they garnered so much attention, for sure,' Earps stated. 'Back then, I'll be honest, I couldn't. I was in this headspace of like, 'I don't get it, why are we only talking about this and this?' Now I can, after really deeply looking inwards.'
Period of Deep Reflection and Personal Growth
The 32-year-old goalkeeper revealed that the fallout from her book initiated a period of intense self-examination. 'It really started a period of real deep reflection for me, having some tough conversations with people around me. Mostly I looked at myself. I look back to that time and I feel in a completely different space now,' Earps explained.
She acknowledged her imperfections and ongoing personal development, stating: 'I'm not a perfect person, I'm still learning and growing as a human being. You either evolve or repeat. I look back and I have to be accountable for the things that I know I could have done better. I can't control other things, but there are things that I can control that I could have done better.'
Public Backlash and Media Firestorm
During her book publicity tour, Earps found herself at the centre of a media firestorm that she described as an 'extreme time'. Public opinion 'snowballed' according to the goalkeeper, leaving her under intense scrutiny that she struggled to manage. The controversy only intensified as she attempted to downplay her initial comments during promotional appearances.
One of Earps' primary regrets was how her words were perceived regarding her former manager. 'I would never, ever want anybody to question my respect and admiration for Sarina and everything that we've achieved together,' Earps emphasised. She revealed that she had spoken privately with Wiegman, describing their conversation as 'really positive' and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to address the matter directly.
Emotional State During Writing Process
Earps admitted that she was in a state of 'deep emotion' while writing the autobiography, grappling with identity loss and significant life changes following her international retirement. 'I wear my heart on my sleeve. I thought after international retirement, writing a book was clearly the next step. I thought, I can put my energy into that. What I thought would be a really positive outlet, wasn't,' she confessed.
With time, Earps says she has found greater peace and self-awareness. 'I feel so much calmer and more myself with the passing of time,' she revealed, adding that she now questions how she might have articulated herself differently during that challenging period.
Reactions from the Football Community
While Hannah Hampton did not publicly address Earps' comments about her, the revelations created divisions within the England camp between those supporting Earps and others who felt Hampton had been unfairly criticised. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor emerged as a vocal defender of Hampton, criticising Earps' lack of respect.
'With what I read in terms of the comments coming from Mary Earps, it's not acceptable to not show respect to your teammates or managers,' Bompastor stated. 'We are talking about Hannah, but also I want to raise my voice for Sarina. When you use some words about someone who won the Euros three times in a row, you should probably think about it before you speak.'
Bompastor contrasted the approaches of the two goalkeepers, suggesting that Hampton had demonstrated greater professionalism throughout the controversy. The episode has highlighted ongoing discussions about professionalism and respect within women's football as the sport continues to grow in profile and popularity.
