Copyright GIVEMESPORT
Former England Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps has released a statement following backlash over her controversial comments about Hannah Hampton. The 32-year-old retired from international football five weeks before Euro 2025 after being told Chelsea's number one would also be England’s first-choice goalkeeper. In her autobiography, Earps described Sarina Wiegman’s handling of the Lionesses’ goalkeeper situation as “bull****” and revealed “ongoing difficulties” with rival Hampton, who she claimed was being rewarded for “bad behaviour,” before admitting she had hoped Manchester City understudy Khiara Keating would be the one to take her place instead. The remarks - widely criticised as petulant and bitter - sparked a wave of backlash against Earps, who appeared not to acknowledge the achievements of her successor. Hampton was England’s starting goalkeeper in their recent European Championship triumph and later won the Women’s Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or - an award that Earps, somewhat through gritted teeth, handed to her at the ceremony. Mary Earps Releases Statement Amid Backlash Over Hampton Feud “Thank you so much for all the love and support with regards to the new book – it’s been a lot of hard work, with tears of joy and sadness,” Earps wrote on her Instagram story on Saturday night as she took aim at critics, who she argued had been manipulated into only seeing the extract from her autobiography that shone her in the wrong light. She continued (see below): “It’s not easy to be as vulnerable and open as I have been in the book, and I understand that my honesty and rawness will divide opinion. That’s ok, everyone is entitled to feel what they feel, and I respect that. “Things have escalated really quickly today, women pitted against each other. It’s gut-wrenching to be portrayed as someone you’re not. I know that the negative is what gets clicks, but it’s sad that’s the only thing being discussed – I also said some really positive things and gave credit where it’s due. I know that people like to create drama, but please remember, this book is about my life and my experiences." She continued: “This is not a soap opera, this is real life. Pulling out a paragraph, or a sentence here and there is not a reflection of the contents of the book. Please see through the headlines, and read it in its entirety. I would never intentionally say things to hurt someone. That’s not my style. “People can experience the same situation differently, this is not about heroes and villains, just different perspectives – multiple things can be true at once. Please read it in its full context and listen to my interviews.” While much of the criticism directed at Earps has been fair, there has also been concern over how Hampton is coping with the explosive comments - especially given that England’s Euro 2025 hero has long admired her predecessor and has consistently spoken highly of her in the public. Her club manager, Sonia Bompastor, said Hampton was doing fine, though she too took a moment to lament Earps’ remarks as well. "I think Hannah is fine, but of course it's tough because Hannah is an athlete but also a person. That's never nice to hear these comments," Bompastor said, as per Sky Sports, in her post-match press conference following a 2-0 win over London City Lionesses on Saturday afternoon. "Since I joined Chelsea she has grown so much and is such a professional athlete and also a good person. We have a really good relationship together, and I want to show her my support in this situation. "I would also like to say it's more about respect. With what I read in terms of the comments coming from Mary Earps, it's not acceptable to not show respect to your teammates or managers. We are talking about Hannah, but also I want to raise my voice for Sarina [Wiegman]. "When you use some words saying something about someone who won the Euros three times in a row, you should probably think about it before you speak. Hannah has been fine with us and all the club - myself, the staff and the players - are all behind her." Bompastor continued: "What she was able to achieve today showed how much she is class and professional. It's always tough for someone to have to read these comments. The fact she was even able to play and start the game and perform shows how good she is. I think she is the best goalkeeper in the world, in many ways, as an athlete and also mentally. "If you look at what Hannah said in the previous comments about Mary Earps then what Mary is saying about her now, one of them is class and Hannah is the class one."
