Mary Earps Opens Up About Book Controversy and Reconciliation with Sarina Wiegman
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has revealed she has learned "some tough lessons" following the backlash to comments in her autobiography last year. Earps, who played 53 times for England with 26 clean sheets, told the Guardian she now understands the strong condemnation and has had a "really positive conversation" with Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman since the book's release in November.
Addressing the Backlash and Cancel Culture Experience
Earps described the fallout from her autobiography as her "first rodeo with cancel culture," rating the experience "0 out of 10" and advising others against it. The controversy centered on comments about former England teammate Hannah Hampton, whom Earps suggested had been "rewarded for bad behavior" by Wiegman. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was among those who criticized Earps for lacking respect toward a manager and teammate.
"I take full responsibility for the book and the things that happened around the book," Earps stated. "I took some time out to really reflect on the whole situation and there were clearly things that I could have done better. There were some tough lessons learned. I'm human. I'm not perfect, I'm still learning. I'm still growing as a person. I want to use those lessons going forward."
Positive Dialogue with Sarina Wiegman
Earps emphasized her enduring respect for Wiegman, who made her England's number one goalkeeper in 2021. "I have an incredible amount of respect for Sarina, always have, always will," Earps said. "Sarina and I have spoken. I'm sure you'll understand that I would want that conversation to remain private. But yes, we spoke, we've met up. It was a really positive conversation. And I'm really grateful to Sarina for that opportunity for us to speak."
Reflecting on the timing of her book release, Earps acknowledged she had "blinkers on" during what she thought was a natural progression after retiring internationally. With distance from the situation, she now recognizes why the backlash occurred. "In a weird way it's a compliment for how much the game has grown and it's a compliment that people hold me to a high standard," she added.
Community Pitch Opening in Nottingham
Earps made these comments during the official opening of the "Mary Earps pitch" at Calverton Miners Welfare FC in her home city of Nottingham. Hundreds of young players attended the event, where Earps was swamped with requests for autographs and pictures after cutting the ribbon and participating in a training session.
The pitch was funded primarily by a £660,000 grant from the Premier League, Football Association, and Football Foundation through the Lionesses Futures Fund, established after England's 2022 European Championship victory. The fund has supported 35 new 3G pitches that prioritize access for women and girls through reserved peak-time slots and female-only evenings.
Additional funding came from Nottinghamshire County Council, Calverton Parish Council, Gedling Borough Council, and the Thomas Farr Fund. The location holds special significance for Earps, who competed in summer football tournaments there during her early teenage years.
Future Plans and PSG Experience
Earps, who saved a penalty in the 2023 World Cup final, mentioned there are plans "in the works" with the FA to celebrate her retirement, which she announced unexpectedly before last summer's Euros. She expressed excitement about these upcoming celebrations.
Regarding her professional future, Earps is approaching the final four months of her contract with Paris Saint-Germain, whom she joined after leaving Manchester United in 2024. When asked about her contract and future plans, she responded, "We'll have to wait and see, won't we? I'm not too sure yet. I know I'm really enjoying Paris."
Reflecting on her time with PSG, Earps said, "I've loved it. I was taken completely out of my comfort zone and challenged, and that was exactly what I wanted. I was so petrified of potentially stagnating and not learning and growing. I'm learning a lot."
Earps described the community pitch opening as "surreal" and emphasized the importance of connecting with her roots. "One of my priorities has been to do more stuff at home," she noted. "When you go away, you realise how much that matters to you."
