Mary Earps holding a book during an interview after releasing her autobiography
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has found herself at the center of football controversy following the release of her autobiography, which includes comments about former teammate Hannah Hampton and England manager Sarina Wiegman.
The book, which was meant to give fans a peek into Earps’ life and career, has instead sparked debates across football circles — and even caused some discomfort within the Lionesses camp.
In her book, Earps reportedly accused Wiegman of rewarding “bad behaviour” when she recalled Hampton to the national team after previously dropping her for being “disruptive and unreliable.”
The comment didn’t sit well with some members of the football community. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor quickly defended her player, praising Hampton’s “class” and suggesting Earps’ words were “disrespectful” toward Wiegman.
Following the backlash, Earps spoke exclusively to BBC Sport, clarifying that she had no intention of causing drama or division.
“I’ve not written the book to tear anyone down,” she said. “I’ve just been honest about my journey. It’s not about blaming people — it’s about sharing what I’ve learned.”
Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating, who has recently joined the England setup, shared a balanced take:
“We’re all here to do the same job. As goalkeepers, we normally stick together. I love them both. I just hope they sort things out and we can focus on football again.”
While Keating’s tone was diplomatic, other former players like Ellen White admitted feeling uneasy about the revelations.
“There’s almost an unwritten rule — what happens in the dressing room stays there,” White said. “It feels like that bond has been penetrated, and that’s hard to take.”
The controversy has left many Lionesses caught in the middle, unsure whether to publicly comment or stay silent. Sources suggest that several players have asked to avoid media duties until the storm passes.
Former England midfielder Fara Williams added her voice, saying she was “baffled” by Earps’ decision to go public.
“If Mary wanted to be open about it, she should’ve gone into more detail rather than leaving things hanging,” Williams said in her TNT Sports column. “Still, her legacy in English football remains untouchable.”
With upcoming friendlies against China and Ghana, Wiegman will have to face questions about the rift within her squad. What was supposed to be a joyful “homecoming series” after their Euro 2025 triumph has now become a test of team unity.
Whether the situation will cool off or escalate remains to be seen — but one thing’s certain: the football world will be watching closely.
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