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Goalkeeper Mary Earps has publicly stated that her freshly launched memoir was never intended to “damage others” and expressed concern that media response has been “misinterpreted.”

Disputed Remarks and Fan Backlash

The ex-Lionesses player, who played a key role in the Euro 2022 victory, encountered disapproval from fans and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor after commenting about ex-colleague Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman.

In her memoir, Earps wrote that she told Wiegman she was “supporting poor attitude” by bringing Hampton back to the England squad after dropping her for being “problematic and undependable.”

“It’s been really overwhelming to see how certain aspects were twisted,” Earps told reporters.

Clarifying Her Purpose

Earps firmly declared that the autobiography was not designed to hurt others.

• “I’ve not written this book to damage reputations in any manner.”
• “That isn’t my personality as a person.”
• “These are real events. It has repercussions. It isn’t a drama.”

She also commented on how women’s football has moved into an area that has become “a bit like entertainment,” where personal lives are scrutinized heavily for public amusement.

Relationship with Wiegman

Earps discussed losing her spot as the starting goalkeeper ahead of the tournament and how that affected their dynamic with Wiegman.

She explained it was “not a rapid decline” in their dynamic—just a divergence in opinions—and she maintains respect for the coach.

“Certain events that took place at that time that I wish had happened differently,” Earps added.

Personal Struggles

In her book, Earps opened up about the harassment she endured at during her education, describing it as a “particularly challenging” chapter to read again because it brought back old wounds.

• “I couldn’t assert myself back then.”
• “I always believed that people disapproved of me for a long time.”
• “I was conditioned to feel like people were indifferent.”

These feelings led to panic attacks, and Earps shared she had issues with self-perception and used alcohol during the lockdown period to cope with anxiety and depression.

Personal Life and Future Plans

Earps openly discussed that she is in a partnership with Kitty and stated she is proud about her partnership.

She also talked about her wish to have children and revealed she has frozen her eggs for future use.

“I would love to be a mum and have a household,” Earps commented. “I enjoy my football career, but I hope to have a child in the future.”

Earps characterized the egg-freezing procedure as “overwhelming and personal” and called for more investigation tailored to players undergoing comparable treatments.

Throughout the interview, Earps maintained that she has no regrets about her career or personal choices, emphasizing that she always acted with integrity.