New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) Goalkeeper Mary Earps has shockingly announced her decision to retire from international football just five weeks before the upcoming Women’s European Championship after she recently lost her starting place to Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton.
Earps, who plays for Paris Saint Germain, is an icon in English football and was pivotal to their historic triumph at the 2022 Women’s Euros and also saved a penalty in England’s loss in the finals of the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
Goalkeepers Hampton, Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse will be part of a 26-player squad which will take on Portugal and Spain in a bid to reach the UEFA Women’s Nations League knockout stages.
In her letter to fans, Earps admitted that although the decision may not make much sense, given England begin their European title defence against France on July 6.
“I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge and represent my country.
“My journey has never been the simplest, and so in true Mary fashion, this isn’t a simple goodbye – right before a major tournament. Nonetheless, I know this is the right decision. There are so many dimensions to this decision, the details of which aren’t important right now, but what it boils down to is: it’s now the right moment to step aside.
“This is a new era and a new England team, and I’m looking forward to watching them this summer. In the end, all you have is all you are – your character. And I know that whilst this won’t make sense to some who are reading this, you can trust that I would not be doing this unless I thought it was absolutely the right thing to do, as much as it hurts,” Earp posted on social media.
The former Man Utd goalkeeper made her England debut in 2017 and represented the Lionesses on 57 occasions. She was out of the national set-up for nearly two years before Sarina Wiegman’s arrival in 2021, following which she became the first-choice goalkeeper.
Weigman said she hoped that Mary would have played an important role in the Euros this year and was left disappointed.
“I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed. Mary has been clear on her reasons why she has made the decision and it is something we need to accept.
“Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football. We will cherish those memories and of course give Mary the tributes she deserves after the summer but for now the focus needs to be on the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures and the Euros,” said Weigman in a press conference.
–IANS
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