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The stir the book has caused is widespread. Former England striker Ellen White was in the Euro 2022 squad alongside Earps and played with Hampton at club and country in her career. She said she felt "uneasy" and "nervous", as well as "a lot of sadness" discussing the outcry on the Women's Football Weekly podcast. "I feel like we almost have this unwritten oath when you're in a team, that the togetherness and what happens in the dressing room, in training, and in your bubble, stays within the team and that environment," said White. "I was there in 2022 and I would protect my team with my life. I would never go into what happened within that environment. That's not for me to speak about. "Mary has gone into what she wanted to. What I would say is when Sarina [Wiegman] came in, we built a culture, philosophy, togetherness, and that family-like feel so it felt unbreakable and beautiful at the same time. "It just feels like that has been penetrated a little bit and that is quite hard to take." Ex-Scotland and Arsenal defender Jen Beattie added that there were "really difficult times" in team environments but they are "better left behind closed doors". Sources close to many of the Lionesses say there is confusion over why Earps felt the need to publish her book so close to their Euro 2025 success. Many of the players Earps won Euro 2022 with still remain in the England squad and those who have played alongside her and Hampton feel caught in the middle. A number of Lionesses have asked to be kept away from media, not wanting to get caught up in the headlines or to create further division among their team-mates. Whether it was intended or not, Earps' comments about Hampton have created the illusion that it is this person's side, or the other's - and nobody wants to choose. In Hampton's case, sources close to the Chelsea goalkeeper say she is trying to block out the noise and focus on the crucial Women's Super League game against Arsenal on Saturday, but she has been affected by the unwanted attention.
