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Goalkeeper Mary Earps has openly declared that her recently published personal story was never intended to “criticize individuals” and voiced unease that public reaction has been “misinterpreted.”

Controversial Comments and Fan Backlash

The former England goalkeeper, who had a vital part in the tournament success, encountered disapproval from followers and Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor after commenting about past Lioness Hannah Hampton and coach Sarina Wiegman.

In her book, Earps reportedly claimed told Wiegman she was “encouraging negative conduct” by bringing Hampton back to the England squad after dropping her for being “problematic and undependable.”

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

Defending Her Intentions

Earps strongly emphasized that the autobiography was not meant to damage anyone.

• “I’ve not written this book to damage reputations in any shape or form.”
• “That isn’t my personality as a human being.”
• “These are real events. It has consequences. It is not entertainment.”

She also discussed how female soccer has evolved into a realm that has become “almost like performance,” where personal lives are picked apart for people’s enjoyment.

Relationship with Wiegman

Earps mentioned losing her spot as the first-choice keeper ahead of the tournament and how that strained her relationship with Wiegman.

She explained it was “not a sudden deterioration” in their connection—just a clash of viewpoints—and she still respects the manager.

“Several incidents that occurred during that period that I wish had happened differently,” Earps added.

Private Challenges

In her memoir, Earps discussed openly the harassment she endured at school, describing it as a “extremely difficult” section to revisit because it brought back past pain.

• “I couldn’t assert myself at that time.”
• “I frequently thought that people disapproved of me for a long time.”
• “I was conditioned to feel like nobody really cares.”

These sentiments led to anxiety episodes, and Earps shared she struggled with physical appearance and resorted to drinking during the global health crisis to manage emotional difficulties.

Relationships and Goals

Earps openly discussed that she is in a same-sex relationship and expressed pride about her partnership.

She also discussed her wish to have children and revealed she has undergone egg freezing for potential family planning.

“I really want to be a parent and have a family of my own,” Earps commented. “I enjoy my football career, but I hope to have a child at a later stage.”

Earps described the fertility process as “intense and intrusive” and called for more research tailored to players undergoing equivalent processes.

Throughout the interview, Earps maintained that she has no second thoughts about her sports path or life decisions, highlighting that she always proceeded with principle.