A controversial book by former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has sparked a media frenzy, with comments about her ex-teammate Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman taking center stage. This is an unusual move for an active player, as it’s rare to see such personal insights shared while people are still actively involved in the game.
Both Earps and Hampton have achieved great success, winning individual awards and European titles with England. So, it’s no surprise that Earps’ words have caused quite a stir.
But here’s where it gets tricky… What has been the fallout, and how might it affect the Lionesses moving forward?
In her book, Earps claimed that Wiegman was rewarding “bad behavior” by recalling Hampton to the England squad, despite previously dropping her for being “disruptive and unreliable.” This led to a strong response from Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, who defended Hampton and felt that Earps had disrespected Wiegman.
Earps, in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, clarified that she didn’t intend to “tear anyone down” with her book. Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating, who recently made her England debut, expressed her respect for both Earps and Hampton, hoping they can resolve their issues.
Keating emphasized the close-knit nature of the team, saying, “Feelings aside, we were always a tight-knit group. As goalkeepers, we usually stick together.”
The book’s impact has been widespread, with former England striker Ellen White expressing her unease and sadness over the outcry. White believes in an “unwritten oath” within teams, where what happens in the dressing room stays there.
“Mary has gone into what she wanted to. When Sarina [Wiegman] came in, we built a beautiful, unbreakable culture and family-like feel. It feels like that has been penetrated, and that’s hard to take,” White said.
Ex-Scotland defender Jen Beattie added that difficult times are best left unspoken about publicly.
Sources close to the Lionesses are confused as to why Earps chose to publish her book so close to their Euro 2025 success. Many of her former teammates feel caught in the middle, with some Lionesses asking to be kept away from the media to avoid further division.
Earps’ comments have created an uncomfortable situation, making it seem like a choice between one person’s side or the other’s. Sources close to Hampton say she’s trying to focus on an upcoming crucial Women’s Super League game, but the unwanted attention has affected her.
Earps herself hopes her relationship with Wiegman hasn’t changed due to the “noise” of the situation. As Wiegman prepares to name her squad for upcoming friendlies, the team braces for a distracting period.
These matches, meant to celebrate their Euro 2025 success, now feel more like a distraction than a celebration. Former England midfielder Fara Williams believes Earps’ legacy won’t be tarnished, but she “didn’t like” the comments about Hampton.
“If Mary is going to be open and honest, she needs to provide more details about the alleged bad behavior. Even if there was bad behavior, Hannah served her punishment by being left out of the squad. Her actions since then show she’s learned from it,” Williams said.
So, what do you think? Is this a case of too much information, or is it important for players to share their experiences? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!