Mary Earps’ Controversial Remarks Stir Drama in England Women’s Football
Recently, prominent England women’s goalkeepers, Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton, have become the center of attention following contentious remarks made by Earps regarding her former manager Sarina Wiegman and teammate Hampton. The fallout from Earps’ new autobiography has raised questions about her claims and the implications for the team.
Background of the Situation
On Saturday, excerpts from Earps’ autobiography, titled “All In: Football, Life and Learning to be Unapologetically Me,” were featured in The Guardian just ahead of its release on November 6. In these passages, the 32-year-old criticized Wiegman—who had once reinstated her to the national team after being dropped by the previous manager—and took aim at Hampton, who recently excelled in the Euro 2025 final, saving two penalties and winning the inaugural Women’s Yashin Trophy.
Earps asserted that “bad behavior” was being rewarded when Hampton was initially dropped from the England squad after the 2022 European Championship, only to be brought back in early 2023. She also mentioned Hampton’s absence from several games at Aston Villa due to questionable conduct during the 2022 tournament, though she refrained from naming specific incidents, citing her reluctance to speak negatively about her peers.
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In her book, Earps referred to Wiegman’s management as “bull—-,” expressing disappointment over what she perceived as a lack of transparency from the coach. However, she had previously acknowledged Wiegman’s strict stance on addressing bad behavior within the team structure.
Context from 2022
During Hampton’s tenure at Aston Villa, reports indicated that she had been dropped from the England squad due to behavioral issues. While some sources supported this narrative, others claimed she was coping with an injury at the time. Despite the contentious remarks, many have expressed confusion over Earps’ criticisms, highlighting Hampton’s positive qualities and dedication to improvement.
Upon joining Chelsea, former manager Emma Hayes recognized Hampton’s growth as she worked on both technical and personal aspects of her game to secure a starting position. The documentary “One Last Dance” captured moments in Hampton’s journey, illustrating her need to develop maturity as a teammate.
Reactions and Responses
Before the controversy surrounding Earps’ book, Hampton had conveyed admiration for her teammate in recent interviews. She dismissed the notion of any animosity between them, insisting that their relationship remains supportive. Notably, Hampton received the best goalkeeper award at the Ballon d’Or from Earps in September, emphasizing the respect they hold for one another.
However, Earps’ comments about Hampton and Wiegman led to mixed reactions among fans and commentators alike. Ruesha Littlejohn, an international player, described Hampton’s past demeanor as “difficult” while still praising her talent and potential. Former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent defended Wiegman’s decision to reinstate Hampton, suggesting that it signaled growth and maturity in the young goalkeeper.
In light of the backlash, Earps remarked on social media that her words had been misinterpreted and expressed disappointment over the portrayal of women in the sport being pitted against each other. Following Hampton’s recognition in FIFPRO’s World XI, many critics viewed Earps’ comments as counterproductive to her aspirations for a positive narrative.
Earps addressed the media, asserting that her autobiography was not intended to offend anyone. She acknowledged the weight of her words and the need for clarity, emphasizing that her journey involves real struggles with mental health and personal challenges.
Looking Ahead
As the release date for Earps’ autobiography approaches, numerous untold stories remain, including her experiences with depression, her challenges within the sports industry, and her contributions to women’s football. Despite her outstanding achievements, including the Euro 2022 victory and praise for her performance in the World Cup, the ongoing controversy has cast a shadow over her reputation.
Ultimately, the unfolding saga will determine whether Earps can rebuild her image following her bold choices in sharing her personal narrative. As the story continues to develop, fans and followers await the full publication to gain deeper insights into Earps’ experiences and perspectives in women’s football.
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