Mary Earps claims she was 'villainised' after shock England retirement ahead of Euros title defence - with decision to walk away from the Lionesses 'difficult and painful'
Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps has claimed she has been 'villainised' after her shock decision to retire from international football ahead of the Women's Euros.
Earps had announced her decision with immediate effect last month, bringing to a close an eight-year international career in which she earned 53 caps.
The 32-year-old had been Sarina Wiegman's first-choice goalkeeper since the Dutch coach took charge in September 2021 and was a central figure in England's Euros triumph in 2022 and run to the World Cup final in 2023.
Earps had fallen below Chelsea's Hannah Hampton in the battle for the No 1 shirt at this summer's Euros ahead of her retirement announcement.
The timing of the PSG goalkeeper's announcement led to a backlash with the tournament fast approaching.
With Hampton having just 16 caps to date and back-up goalkeepers Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating currently uncapped, Earps exit has left the Lionesses light on experience in goal at international level.
Earps shock retirement came just five weeks before England began their Euros title defence
Earps, speaking on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast, claimed the reaction to her retirement five weeks out from the Euros left her feeling villianised.
'I think I was villainised in a way, it was a bit hard to see and read things,' Earps said.
'It's more what my friends and family see and then the way they interact with me. I'm like, "Oh, I know you've seen something", and I'm upset for them because I'm like, "You didn't choose this. You've now got to deal with this."
'I'm then gutted for them and I don't really want to know what's being said, but it's coming out in comments. I feel like that's hard.'
Earps was one of three senior England figures to exit the camp in the build-up to the tournament.
Fran Kirby confirmed her retirement after being informed she was not be selected for the squad, while Mille Bright withdrew, stating she was unable to 'give 100 per cent mentally or physically.
Earps decision to retire reportedly surprised her England team-mates and angered head coach Wiegman. In public, Wiegman admitted she had been left 'disappointed' by Earps decision.
The PSG shot-stopper, a two-time winner of the Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023, insisted the decision to walk away was a 'relief' and that she had received support from her team-mates.
'It was difficult and it was painful,' said Earps. 'Some people were amazing and the girls, the way they had my back, that meant the absolute world to me.
'These are girls that I grew up with and have so many amazing memories with. It was sad but I think it's the right thing.
'I don't want it to be painful watching them but I won't know until it's there because I felt almost a bit of relief because it had been so long coming. 'Mentally and physically, I was just like, "Right, I've given everything here."'
'Maybe other people weren't experiencing it the way I was experiencing it. I'm quite private, I keep everything in and I try to internalise it and rationalise it.
'Maybe it was shocking to some people but I think [that was because] we've been having those conversations behind closed doors.
The PSG goalkeeper suggested she may still attend England matches at the Euros, which kick off this week in Switzerland.
England warmed up for the tournament with a 7-0 victory of Jamaica in a friendly on Sunday.
The Lionesses' begin their title defence against France on Friday, before facing the Netherlands and Wales in their remaining group stage matches.
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