Mary Earps: ‘Baffling’ and distracting – the fallout from former England goalkeepers’ book

The buzz generated by the book is widespread.

Former England striker Ellen White was in the Euro 2022 squad alongside Earps and has played for Hampton for club and country in her career.

She said she felt “uncomfortable” and “stressed”, as well as “a lot of sadness” while discussing the protest on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast.

“I feel like we almost take this unwritten oath when you’re on a team, that teamwork and what happens in the locker room, in practice, in your bubble, stays within the team and that environment,” White said.

“I was there in 2022 and I will protect my team with my life. I will never go into what happened in that environment. That is not my place to talk about.”

“Mary went for what she wanted. What I would say is when we walked [Wiegman] When we came, we built a culture, a philosophy, a teamwork, and this family-like feeling, so it seemed unbreakable and beautiful at the same time.

“It feels like this has been compromised a little bit and it’s very difficult to bear.”

Former Scotland and Arsenal defender Jean Beattie added that there had been “really difficult times” in team environments but that “they are best left behind closed doors”.

Sources close to several Lionesses say there is confusion as to why the Earps felt the need to publish their book so close to their Euro 2025 success.

Several Earps players have won Euro 2022 while remaining in the England squad and those who played alongside her and Hampton feel stuck in the middle.

A number of the Lionesses asked to stay away from the media, not wanting to appear in the headlines or create further division among their teammates.

Whether intentional or not, Earps’ comments about Hampton created the illusion that it was this person’s side, or the other’s side — and no one wanted to choose.

In Hampton’s case, sources close to the Chelsea goalkeeper say she is trying to block out the noise and focus on the crucial Women’s Super League match against Arsenal on Saturday, but has been affected by the unwanted attention.