Millie Bright, the Chelsea captain, has declined to comment on the widely discussed rift between Lionesses goalkeepers Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton. Bright's refusal to be drawn into the controversy comes amidst heightened media and fan interest following the release of excerpts from Earps' upcoming autobiography, "All In".
The controversy stems from Earps' account of tensions within the England squad, particularly concerning Hampton's reintroduction to the team in 2023. Earps claims she voiced her concerns to England manager Sarina Wiegman, stating that Hampton was being "rewarded for bad behaviour". She believed Hampton's behavior behind the scenes at the Euro 2022 had frequently risked derailing training sessions and team resources. Earps has also revealed that Wiegman consulted her about Hampton's return in 2023 and that the decision made her feel "uncomfortable" despite Wiegman's reasoning that "everyone deserves a second chance".
These claims have ignited a firestorm of debate, with many fans and pundits eager to hear from other members of the Lionesses squad. However, Bright, along with fellow Lioness Rachel Daly, has chosen to steer clear of the subject.
Bright and Daly addressed the issue indirectly on their joint podcast, "Daly Brightness". Daly explained that the podcast aims to "spread positivity" and is not a platform for gossiping about former teammates. "We're not here to gossip, our podcast isn't about that," Daly stated, emphasizing their preference for maintaining a positive and joyful atmosphere.
The decision by Bright and Daly to avoid commenting on the Earps-Hampton situation reflects a desire to maintain team harmony and avoid fueling further controversy. It also underscores the complexities of navigating interpersonal relationships within a high-pressure sporting environment.
The timeline of events leading to the current situation includes Hampton's absence from the England squad after Euro 2022, followed by her reintroduction in April 2024 for a Euro 2025 qualifying match against Sweden. Earps claims this decision prompted her to voice her concerns to Wiegman, feeling that "bad behaviour is being rewarded". Ultimately, Wiegman chose Hampton as her first-choice goalkeeper in April 2025, which led to Earps' retirement from international football shortly before this year's Euros in Switzerland. Hampton subsequently played a starring role in the Lionesses' successful defense of their title.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has publicly defended both Hampton and Wiegman, criticizing Earps' comments. She stated that "it's not acceptable to not show respect to your teammates or managers".
Despite the ongoing controversy, Hampton has achieved significant success, including winning the Golden Glove at Euro 2025, the inaugural Women's Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards, and earning a place in the FIFPRO World 11. In March 2024, Bright lauded Hampton's performance in a Conti Cup semi-final against Manchester City, highlighting her crucial saves.
Earps has also revealed in her autobiography that she is in a same-sex relationship with her girlfriend, Kitty.
