England manager Sarina Wiegman has publicly stated her desire for former Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps to receive a fitting retirement send-off during a special presentation at Wembley Stadium. The ceremony is scheduled to take place ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Spain, offering fans an opportunity to honour Earps's significant contributions to English women's football.
Controversial Autobiography and International Retirement
Mary Earps announced her retirement from international duty prior to Euro 2025, concluding a distinguished career that included pivotal roles in England's Euro 2022 triumph and their journey to the 2023 World Cup final. Her performances during these tournaments earned her recognition as the world's best goalkeeper, cementing her status as a Lionesses legend.
However, Earps's departure from the national team was accompanied by controversy following the publication of her autobiography 'All In' in November. In the book, she openly criticised Wiegman's decision to reinstate Hannah Hampton to the Lionesses squad after Earps had lost her starting position before last year's European Championships. These comments generated significant media attention and divided public opinion.
Mixed Reactions and Subsequent Regrets
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has made just one appearance in England since her book's release, returning to her former club Manchester United for a Women's Champions League match. During that fixture, Earps experienced both cheers and boos from the crowd, reflecting the polarised response to her published remarks.
In subsequent interviews, Earps expressed regret over certain comments in her autobiography, telling The Guardian she had "learned some tough lessons" from the experience. She described encountering what she termed "cancel culture" and rated the experience "0 out of 10" while taking full responsibility for the book's content and its aftermath.
Wiegman's Perspective and Moving Forward
Despite the controversy, Wiegman has emphasized putting the incident behind them, highlighting Earps's broader impact on the sport. "It shows what she has done for the game, what she has done for England," Wiegman remarked ahead of the planned Wembley presentation. "She is an inspiration for so many people, particularly young goalkeepers. She deserves a great farewell."
The England manager acknowledged that opinions about Earps remain divided, noting that "some people have been disappointed, some people will be thinking she is inspirational." However, Wiegman urged fans to focus on celebrating Earps's achievements, stating: "Let's cherish the moments we had together. Mary had a great career and for us was the world's best. She played important games and now she has moved on. Let's all celebrate her."
FA's Tradition of Honouring Retiring Players
The Football Association has established a practice of recognizing former England players following their international retirements. Recent examples include farewell ceremonies for Euro 2022 winner Fran Kirby before November's friendly against China and former captain Steph Houghton ahead of an October 2024 match against Germany. The planned tribute to Earps continues this tradition of acknowledging players' service to the national team.
Earps revealed in February that she had a "positive conversation" with Wiegman regarding the autobiography's release, expressing regret about how the situation was handled. She emphasized her ongoing personal growth, stating: "I'm human. I'm not perfect, I'm still learning. I'm still growing as a person. I want to use those lessons going forward."
Team News Ahead of Spain Clash
As England prepares to face world champions Spain in a rematch of the Euro 2025 final, Wiegman confirmed that captain Leah Williamson remains a doubt for the crucial qualifier. Meanwhile, midfielder Keira Walsh could potentially earn her 100th international cap if selected to start against the Spanish side, marking another significant milestone in Lionesses history.
