Shot-stopper Mary Earps has emphatically said that her freshly launched personal story was never intended to “damage others” and shared worry that public reaction has been “misrepresented.”
Disputed Remarks and Public Criticism
The ex-Lionesses player, who played a key role in the championship win, received criticism from followers and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor after making remarks about former team-mate Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman.
In her book, Earps allegedly stated told Wiegman she was “encouraging negative conduct” by bringing Hampton back 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 strongly emphasized that her book was never intended to damage anyone.
- “My memoir wasn’t created to damage reputations in any way whatsoever.”
- “That is not who I am as a person.”
- “This is real life. It has repercussions. It isn’t a drama.”
She also commented on how the women’s game has moved into an area that has become “somewhat similar to show business,” where personal lives are scrutinized heavily for audience entertainment.
Relationship with Wiegman
Earps wrote about being replaced as the first-choice keeper ahead of the tournament and how that strained her relationship with Wiegman.
She explained it was “not an abrupt downfall” in their relationship—just a divergence in opinions—and she continues to admire the coach.
“Certain events that occurred during that period that I would have preferred to go another way,” Earps added.
Personal Struggles
In her book, Earps shared details of the harassment she endured at in her younger years, describing it as a “particularly challenging” part to read again because it revived past pain.
- “I couldn’t assert myself at that time.”
- “I frequently thought that people disapproved of me for the majority of my years.”
- “I became accustomed to feel like no one truly cared.”
These emotions led to panic attacks, and Earps shared she struggled with body image and resorted to drinking during the lockdown period to cope with anxiety and depression.
Relationships and Goals
Earps publicly revealed that she is in a relationship with a woman and shared her happiness about her partnership.
She also talked about her hopes for motherhood and revealed she has frozen her eggs for later fertility treatment.
“I really want to be a mother and have a family of my own,” Earps stated. “I love playing football, but I hope to have a child later down the line.”
Earps portrayed the egg-freezing procedure as “crazy and invasive” and called for more research tailored to players undergoing comparable treatments.
In her statements, Earps maintained that she has no regrets about her professional journey or personal choices, highlighting that she always proceeded with principle.
