Ex-Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps has decided postponed a Wembley farewell in November following her retirement – but talks continue over a future date
Marys Earps has again postponed her farewell moment at Wembley in light of her controversial retirement.
Earps was promised a ‘full tribute’ to recognise her ‘international career and her significant contribution to English football’ after she chose to call time on her stint with the Lionesses before the summer’s Euros.
Since then several games and international windows have come and gone without Earps being recognised and the 31-year-old, who is now playing her football with PSG, declined an FA invitation to hold the tribute before the Lionesses’ friendly against China at Wembley on November 29.
The Daily Mail reports that discussions have taken place between Earps and her representatives. She has declined on this occasion due to a scheduling conflict but talks are expected to resume after next week’s World Cup qualification draw. An FA source insisted that they remain committed to a tribute to Earps and that it is merely a scheduling matter.
Earps shocked the Lionesses when she decided to retire in May, just 36 days before Sarina Wiegman’s side began their European title defence. She had been in goal for the Euros success of 2022 and the World Cup final appearance not long after.
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Wiegman admitted: “I’m really disappointed, I want her in my team. That must have been a hard decision for her, and so it is for us. Of course there have been conversations, that’s between us, it’s confidential.”
Hannah Hampton stepped up to claim the No. 1 jersey, starting every match of the Lionesses’ European Championship and was recently awarded the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. She produced several headline moments and was the hero in the final as England claimed glory in a penalty shootout.
Earps has previously claimed that whilst she had the support of her team-mates she copped huge criticism for choosing to call time on her international career.
“I think that I was villainised in a way,” she said. “That probably was a bit hard to see things and read things, but it’s more what my friends and family see. I’m upset for them because I’m like: ‘You didn’t choose this. You’ve got to now deal with this.’ That’s hard. But in the end I feel like it was the right decision.”
Earps, who retired with 53 caps to her name, was criticised for the timing of her retirement given she had lost her starting place to Hampton.
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