Archive November 3, 2025

Mary Earps claims that her book has not been “tear anyone down” and that its response has been “distorted.”

After making comments about former Lionesses team-mate Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman, the former England goalkeeper, who was a key player in their Euro 2022 victory, faced criticism from the fans and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor.

This week, Earps’ autobiography is out, but excerpts from extracts have been published in the Guardian.

Earps claims in the book that she told Wiegman that she was rewarding “bad behavior” by bringing Hampton back to the England squad after she was “disruptive and unreliable.”

Bompastor responded that Wiegman had shown “class” in Chelsea’s Hampton and that she thought Earps had disrespected him.

Earps told BBC Sport, “It’s been really overwhelming to see how some things have a little bit been distorted.”

I didn’t intend for anyone to betrayed by writing this book in any way. That makes me a different person. This is the real world. It has consequences. It is not a drama, either.

Your life is sometimes sucked together for the entertainment of other people because “women’s football has entered a space that has become a bit like entertainment.” But you know it’s not amusing, right?

“I don’t believe I thought the reaction would be what I wanted it to be. If I’m honest, I’m not surprised by what I’ve seen on my algorithms [on social media], if I had drawn the same conclusions as other people. However, I don’t believe I wrote that.

Earps declined to comment further on her relationship with Hampton in the interview, but she did mention losing her position as England number one prior to Euro 2025 and how that strained her relationship with Wiegman.

She claimed that the relationship was “just a different perspective, and she still holds onto Wiegman’s legacy.”

Of course, there were things that happened over the summer that I wish hadn’t. She says, “We’re like family;” she says at the end. I hope that hasn’t been altered by the noise in this circumstance, “added Earps.”

The 32-year-old, who is currently a member of Paris St.Germain, stated that she has no regrets about her career or choices.

Earps said, “I don’t think I have regrets, but hindsight is beautiful, and I could use the information I have now to make adjustments.”

Regrets are difficult because they are outcome-driven. In one person’s eyes, you can be a hero and a villain.

Earps discussed the bullying she experienced at school, claiming that reading the book once more was “really hard” because it brought on previous trauma.

“It most likely planted a seed,” it said. She continued, “My life has been about trying to find that strength to stand up for myself.”

“I just assumed that people would dislike me the majority of my life and career.” Because I always assumed that, I found the team dynamics to be very challenging.

I was taught that no one really cares. In that way, I felt withdrawn. I’ve always hated not being liked. People picked on me if I spoke, so I had to get used to being quiet.

According to Earps, she “felt really misunderstood” because of those emotions.

She also struggled with body image, and she turned to alcohol to deal with her depression and anxiety while drinking to limit her food during the Covid pandemic.

It was undoubtedly conscious. I’ve always felt like I wasn’t slim enough or athletic enough, according to Earps, who aside from the recent few years where I’ve had a much healthier relationship with food.

I was told that my body fat was too high and that I wasn’t fast enough or strong enough. Because I’m an athlete, it comes with the territory.

“But it’s not nice when you’re told you need to reduce your fat and feel uncomfortable in your own skin.”

I can recall being very young and not liking who I was.

As Earps’ popularity on the football pitch increased, so did the number of photographers who travel to prestigious events and the number of invitations to lavish events.

You’re getting all these photos taken in a room, and you think that’s a terrible angle, she continued.

She claims that Wolfsburg’s 2018-2019 experience helped her see things differently, and she is proud of their partnership despite how confusing it was when she met Kitty.

“I don’t think that sexuality is linear,” she said. I don’t categorize things. Being sincere and telling the truth, “yes, this is my relationship, and I’m proud of that – I’m not ashamed,” added Earps.

When writing a book of integrity and authenticity, “I have always tried to keep my relationships private,” but that isn’t possible.

Earps reveals in the book that Kitty had a row with the goalkeeper’s father after being informed of “disgusting things” about their relationship during the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

In that moment, Earps worried about whether her family would accept Kitty.

Both my relationship and family are important to me. We had some challenges to navigate, but we’re now, thankfully, over them, she continued.

Earps has frozen her eggs for use in fertility treatment, and having a family of her own has been something she has been thinking about for a while.

It was an invasive, crazy procedure. Earps said, “I would love to be a mother and have a family, but I also enjoy football.”

Some players “go off and become pregnant,” which is their right, and they do just that. That is something I’d prefer not to do. If the universe allows it, I’d like to have a child someday.

“I had a few questions that I couldn’t respond to. After the procedure, you are given X days of hormone therapy.

Valentin Royer defeated Cameron Norrie to advance to the Moselle Open second round, but Jacob Fearnley, a fellow Brit, suffered an early exit in Athens.

The in-form Royer, who had dominated a second-set tie-break, led the way for the 27-year-old Norrie, who won 6-3, 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 after the French open.

Norrie, the second-ranked British player, won the Moselle Open final last year and said it was his biggest career victory last week over then-world number one Carlos Alcaraz.

In his quest for his first ATP Tour title since 2023, he next faces Arthur Cazaux, a native of his own.

Norrie remarked, “The entire match was not easy.

“Royer’s] first full year on the tour is almost in the top 50,” he said. I had to work hard.

Lorenzo Sonego defeated Jan Choinski of Great Britain at the same tournament earlier in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss.

With the eighth and final place still to be decided at the season-ending ATP Finals, Lorenzo Musetti’s progress will receive a lot of attention in Athens.

The ninth-ranked Musetti must win the title in order to advance to the Finals after world number eight Auger-Aliassime was forced to withdraw from the Moselle Open with a left knee injury.

Elena Rybakina becomes the first woman to reach the semi-finals on Monday in Riyadh as part of the ongoing WTA Finals.

Five British players will aim for success in the doubles competition on Sunday in Turin for the men’s Finals.

In earlier this month, Henry Patten, who plays with Finland’s Harri Heliovaara, and Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, were all ranked in the top ten.

England vs. Fiji: Quilter Nations Series

Venue: Twickenham Allianz Stadium Saturday, November 8 Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

After being touted as a potential replacement for the backline, England back row Ben Earl says he would not have any reservations starting a Test match in the centres.

After a string of comeos back in the second half behind the scrum, head coach Steve Borthwick made the suggestion that Earl might start the match in midfield.

According to Earl, “We’ve had discussions about it in the past.”

“I’d feel very happy to play there if and when Steve would, because I know he wouldn’t put the team in jeopardy.”

You must put your trust in him and your own self for the work you’ve already done if he thinks you’re ready to take that position.

“So yeah, I’d be happy at any time.”

After Tommy Freeman, who started 13 in the starting lineup, Tommy Freeman, Tommy Freeman, and Henry Pollock, who was back rowing, to take the starting spot, Tommy Freeman, Tommy Freeman, Tommy Freeman, and England defeated Wales 68-14 in the final round of the Six Nations in March.

Earl’s mid-game substitutions against Italy, Japan, and New Zealand were similar.

Earl, 27, believes that making significant adjustments to his game would be simpler if he moved into the center.

The performance “looks very, very similar” when you perform well as a back rower and a 12 or 13er, he said.

“I believe that scrummaging is the only time you might be doing something different.

I’m just trying to remain true to who I am as a player, not like this kind of trailblazing guy who has done a lot of everything.

In Saturday’s 25-7 victory over Australia, Earl recorded 73 metres with the ball in hand, more than all but two of his team-mates. The Saracens star attempted to get in the opening try from just inside the Wallabies half to get close to that figure.

Borthwick has also identified a forward who has the potential to play backs.

As a potential wing option, Pollock has been selected who has scored three tries for England in just over an hour of Test rugby.

Earl of Pollock remarked, “I think he’s quicker than I am.”

Earl said being compared to the 20-year-old, who has had a huge impact with his aggressive, exuberant style, is a stark contrast from having him as a team-mate.

Henry has been fantastic. He and I have been friends for years, Earl said, “It seems like he’s known us for years.”

When you’re in his camp, I believe that’s probably his strength because he’s just a good, likeable guy.

There isn’t anyone I disliked more than him when you’re in camp with him, but when you play against him about two weeks ago [Northampton’s win over Saracens], he’s an absolute bundle of energy. You want to be around him, right?