Mary Earps: I was villainised over my England retirement
Mary Earps believes she was 'villainised' after her shocking retirement from international football provoked widespread criticism.
In her first public comments since ending her decorated England career 37 days before Euro 2025, the goalkeeper discussed the hostile reaction to her decision and said she still plans to go to the tournament as a spectator.
Earps, 32, was accused of being selfish when she retired after losing the England No1 spot to Hannah Hampton. Her exit left Hampton as the only capped goalkeeper in the squad and means the 24-year-old will not be able to lean on Earps's experience at the Euros.
Yet Earps feels she was portrayed harshly and detailed the impact of the scrutiny on her loved ones.
'I think I was villainised in a way,' Earps said on the Happy Place podcast with Fearne Cotton. 'It was a bit hard to see and read things.
'It's more what my friends and family see and then the way they interact with me. I'm like, 'Oh, I know you've seen something', and I'm upset for them because I'm like, 'You didn't choose this. You've now got to deal with this.' I'm then gutted for them and I don't really want to know what's being said, but it's coming out in comments. I feel like that's hard.'
Earps's revelation was very surprising given its proximity to the Euros, but she insisted it was the correct call and one she had been considering for a while.
'I feel like it was the right decision,' she said. 'I don't want it to be painful watching them [her friends and family]. I felt almost a bit of relief because it had been so long coming. Mentally and physically, I was just like, 'Right, I've given everything here.' '
The criticism of Earps was intense partly because of her huge profile. She has been crucial to England's success under Sarina Wiegman, starting every game as they won Euro 2022 and starring in the run to the 2023 World Cup final.
Off the pitch, she famously pressured Nike into selling her England jersey in 2023 and has generated a strong following through her demonstrative, extroverted demeanour. Winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year awards in 2023 reflected her immense achievements and fame.
When Earps informed the England team of her decision at St George's Park on May 26, it is thought that some players and Wiegman, the head coach, reacted negatively. However, all squad members who have addressed the matter publicly expressed support and sympathy for Earps, while Wiegman said she was 'disappointed and sad' rather than angry.
Indeed, Earps heaped praise on her former team-mates' response to the news and hopes to be in Switzerland for England's Euros title defence.
'I'm hoping to get out there and watch a few games depending on pre-season and where I'm going to be,' Earps, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, said. 'The time of the announcement was difficult and painful, but some people were amazing and that the girls had my back meant the absolute world to me. They really didn't need to do that.
'I was able to tell the girls in person. They were so supportive and said goodbye. These are girls that I grew up with, have spent so much time with, and have so many amazing memories with. It was sad, but I think it's the right thing and I'm really looking forward to supporting them this summer.'
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