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Keeper Mary Earps has emphatically said that her freshly launched autobiography was not designed to “tear anyone down” and shared worry that audience feedback has been “misrepresented.”

Disputed Remarks and Public Criticism

The retired international player, who was instrumental in the tournament success, encountered disapproval from followers and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor after commenting about former team-mate Hannah Hampton and head coach Sarina Wiegman.

In her autobiography, Earps wrote that she told Wiegman she was “rewarding bad behaviour” by recalling Hampton to the Lionesses lineup after dropping her for being “problematic and undependable.”

“The response has been immense to see how certain aspects were twisted,” Earps stated publicly.

Explaining Her Motives

Earps strongly emphasized that her book was not designed to hurt others.

• “This book wasn’t written to criticize others in any manner.”
• “That isn’t my personality as a human being.”
• “This is real life. It has consequences. It isn’t a drama.”

She also commented on how female soccer has evolved into a realm that has become “a bit like entertainment,” where private matters are scrutinized heavily for public amusement.

Connection to the Coach

Earps wrote about losing her spot as England’s number one before the European Championship and how that affected their dynamic with Wiegman.

She clarified it was “not a sudden deterioration” in their dynamic—just a divergence in opinions—and she maintains respect for the manager.

“There were things that occurred during that period that I hoped had unfolded otherwise,” Earps remarked.

Individual Difficulties

In her memoir, Earps shared details of the harassment she endured at in her younger years, describing it as a “extremely difficult” part to go back to because it brought back old wounds.

• “I failed to defend myself in those days.”
• “I always believed that people disapproved of me for most of my life.”
• “I was trained to feel like people were indifferent.”

These emotions led to stress outbreaks, and Earps revealed she struggled with self-perception and resorted to drinking during the Covid pandemic to manage emotional difficulties.

Relationships and Goals

Earps openly discussed that she is in a relationship with a woman and stated she is proud about her relationship.

She also mentioned her hopes for motherhood and revealed she has undergone egg freezing for potential family planning.

“I would love to be a mum and have a family of my own,” Earps commented. “I enjoy my football career, but I wish to have a child later down the line.”

Earps described the medical treatment as “overwhelming and personal” and called for more studies tailored to athletes undergoing equivalent processes.

Throughout the interview, Earps emphasized that she has no feelings of remorse about her professional journey or personal choices, emphasizing that she always acted with integrity.