“I can’t really sugarcoat this any other way so I’m not going to try. It’s hugely disappointing and hurtful. It’s something I’ve been fighting behind closed doors.”
Sitting in the Lionesses’ hotel conference room on Wednesday, Mary Earps had a point to make. England’s build-up to the Women’s World Cup has been dominated by injuries and, this week, a letter signed by all 23 players expressing their unhappiness at bonus structures for the tournament, but Manchester United’s No 1 wanted to address another issue.
It is not possible, she said, for fans to buy the England women’s goalkeeper top. The shirt, manufactured by Nike, is not on public sale. England captain Millie Bright recently asked how she could get a replica jersey for a family member, only to be told it cannot be done.
Earps training with England in Brisbane (Photo: Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Earps said she has been “desperately trying to find a solution with the Football Association (FA) and Nike” to have her shirt available for sale but recent discussions with Nike had shown that it “is not possible”.
The 2022 FIFA Best Goalkeeper said she had made an offer to Nike to fund the sale of her shirt herself. It is understood the sportswear manufacturer has…
