Controversy arises over Mary Earps’ autobiography
Chelsea’s manager Sonia Bompastor has sharply criticized former England goalkeeper Mary Earps following disclosures from Earps’ autobiography, which has stirred significant debate within women’s football circles, reports BritPanorama.
Bompastor came to the defense of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton after Earps depicted her behavior during the 2022 European Championships as “overwhelmingly considered disruptive and unreliable, with a risk of being destructive.” Such characterizations drew immediate backlash, with Bompastor condemning perceived disrespect towards Hampton and England manager Sarina Wiegman.
Following Chelsea’s recent victory over London City Lionesses, Bompastor expressed her disappointment at the public nature of Earps’ criticism, emphasizing the importance of respect in team dynamics. “What I read in terms of comments from Mary Earps, it’s not acceptable not to show respect to your team-mate or your manager,” she asserted.
The autobiography, which was serialised in a major publication, also reveals Earps’ objections when Wiegman suggested bringing Hampton back into the squad in early 2023. Earps voiced concerns about maintaining team harmony, fearing that “bad behaviour is being rewarded” during a critical period for the team.
Earps detailed her emotional turmoil when Hampton was selected ahead of her for a qualifier in 2024, stating, “My eyes welled with tears. It was a choice that went against my core values.” Since then, Hampton has indeed taken the mantle as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, while Earps announced her international retirement shortly before the Lionesses were set to defend their European title in Switzerland.
Bompastor further contrasted the two players, publicly declaring, “I think one of them is class, and Hannah is the class one.” She also questioned Earps’ judgment regarding Wiegman, indicating that “when you use some words, saying something about someone who won the European Championship three times in a row, you should probably think about it before you speak.”
Despite the fallout from Earps’ revelations, Hampton demonstrated her worth on the international stage, notably during the tournament where she played a pivotal role, including saving two penalties in the final against Spain. Hampton has previously spoken positively about Earps’ legacy in women’s football.
In light of the ongoing controversy, Bompastor affirmed Chelsea’s commitment to supporting Hampton, assuring that the club would “find solutions” to help her navigate this challenging situation.
The episode serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between personal narratives and professional relationships in the world of football, revealing how even those celebrated for their achievements can provoke debate and division within the sport.
