Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has defended her recently released autobiography, saying her intention was never to “tear anyone down” and that some of the public reaction to excerpts from the book has been “distorted.”
The 32-year-old, a key figure in England’s Euro 2022 triumph, faced criticism from fans and Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor after comments surfaced about former Lionesses teammate Hannah Hampton and national team coach Sarina Wiegman.
Extracts published by The Guardian revealed Earps had accused Wiegman of rewarding “bad behaviour” when she recalled Hampton to the England squad after previously dropping her for being “disruptive and unreliable.” Bompastor later responded, praising Hampton’s “class” and suggesting Earps had shown “disrespect” toward Wiegman.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Earps said the reaction to her words had been exaggerated.
“It’s been really overwhelming to see how some things have been distorted,” she said. “I’ve not written this book to tear anyone down in any shape or form — that’s not who I am. This is real life, not a drama.”
Earps expressed frustration that the focus had fallen on selective excerpts rather than the broader themes of her book.
“I don’t think it’s a fair reflection. I speak about so many different things, and it’s hard to see only certain parts being pulled out,” she said.
While she declined to elaborate further on her history with Hampton, Earps discussed her relationship with Wiegman, acknowledging differences in perspective but maintaining mutual respect.
“It wasn’t a rapid decline in the relationship,” she said. “There were things I wish had happened differently, but I still respect Sarina. She once said we’re like family — I hope the noise around this hasn’t changed that.”
Currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Earps said she has no regrets about her career or decisions.
“Hindsight is a beautiful thing,” she reflected. “You can be a hero in one person’s eyes and a villain in another’s. If you act with integrity and the right intentions, you shouldn’t have regrets.”
Earps’ book also delves into her personal struggles, including bullying during her school years, which she described as a “really hard” section to revisit.
“It probably planted a seed — I didn’t stand up for myself then, and my life has been about finding that strength,” she said.
The experience left long-term scars, influencing how she interacted with teammates and her perception of how others viewed her.
“I was used to not being liked. If I spoke, people picked on me, so I got used to being quiet,” she recalled.
Earps also spoke candidly about suffering from panic attacks, body image issues, and turning to alcohol during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way of coping with anxiety and depression.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt like I wasn’t slim or athletic enough,” she said. “It’s not nice when you’re uncomfortable in your own skin and told your body fat needs to come down.”
As her football profile rose, Earps said public scrutiny of her appearance intensified.
“You’re at glamorous events with cameras everywhere, and you think, ‘That was a horrible angle,’” she admitted. “As an athlete, fuelling properly and looking aesthetically pleasing are two conflicting ideals.”
In a deeply personal revelation, Earps shared that she is in a same-sex relationship with her partner, Kitty, saying she now feels “ready and happy to share” that part of her life.
She credited her time at Wolfsburg (2018–2019) for helping her embrace her identity and said she is proud to be open about her relationship.
“I don’t see sexuality as linear or something that needs labels,” she said. “It’s about being brave enough to say, ‘Yes, this is my relationship, and I’m proud of it.’”
Earps also discussed the challenges she and Kitty faced during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, including a confrontation between Kitty and her father.
“There were difficulties to navigate, but we’re through that now,” she said.
Earps revealed that she has frozen her eggs, describing the process as “crazy and invasive,” but one that aligns with her hopes of one day becoming a mother while continuing her playing career.
“I’d love to be a mum, but I love playing football too,” she said. “Some players choose pregnancy during their careers, but I hope to have a child later if the universe allows it.”
She added that more research is needed to support athletes undergoing fertility treatments.
“It would be great to have more guidance tailored to athletes — what training or exercises to avoid during the process,” she noted.
Earps’ autobiography provides a raw and introspective look into the life of one of England’s most celebrated goalkeepers — a journey marked by resilience, vulnerability, and a determination to tell her story with honesty and integrity.
