Mary Earps, the former England goalkeeper, is addressing the backlash surrounding her recently released autobiography, All In: Football, Life and Learning to be Unapologetically Me. The book, which hit shelves on November 6th, has stirred controversy, particularly regarding Earps' comments about her former teammate Hannah Hampton and England manager Sarina Wiegman.
Earps claims that the public reaction to segments of her autobiography has been "distorted" and taken out of context. Speaking to BBC Sport, she expressed that it has been "really overwhelming to see how some things have been distorted a little bit". She insists that her intention was not to "tear anyone down in any shape or form," emphasizing that it is not who she is as a person.
Extracts from the book, which were published by the Guardian, detailed Earps' perspective on Hampton's return to the national squad in 2023 after she had been dropped for "being disruptive and unreliable". Earps said she felt she told Wiegman that she believed she was rewarding "bad behavior" by recalling Hampton. She expressed feeling protective of the team's positive energy and believed that Hampton's return risked disrupting the hard-won harmony.
These comments have ignited debate, with some fans criticizing Earps for potentially stirring up trouble and disrespecting Wiegman's authority. Sonia Bompastor, Hampton's manager at Chelsea, has also defended Hampton, asserting that the goalkeeper has shown class and professionalism since joining the team. Bompastor accused Earps of showing a 'lack of respect'.
Earps has responded to the criticism, stating that she never aimed to cause harm and that her book captures her personal experiences, not a scripted drama. She urged readers to consider the full context of the book, rather than focusing on sensational headlines or isolated sentences. On Instagram, Earps insisted she never aimed to cause harm. She also acknowledged Hampton as a "very good goalkeeper," demonstrating her efforts to balance criticism with praise.
In addition to the controversy surrounding Hampton, Earps has also faced criticism regarding a section in her book addressing the sexual assault of Spanish striker Jenni Hermoso by RFEF president Luis Rubiales during the 2023 Women's World Cup final. Some fans have accused Earps of self-centeredness, arguing that she inappropriately referenced the incident in a way that detracted from Hermoso's experience.
Beyond the specific controversies, Earps' autobiography delves into her personal struggles, including her mental health challenges, body image issues, and experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. She opens up about turning to alcohol and restricting her diet to cope with depression during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also reflects on feeling disliked and withdrawn in group environments. According to the book's publisher, All In is not just a sports memoir but a guide for anyone who feels they don't fit in. It shares Earps' inspiring story, revealing the realities of a young woman with big dreams in an elite, male-dominated sport.
