Mary Earps: Behind-the-Scenes Tensions and Retirement Revelations** **

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Mary Earps, the former England goalkeeper, has revealed the internal strife that led to her surprise retirement from international football ahead of Euro 2025. In her upcoming autobiography, "All In", Earps discusses the tensions surrounding Hannah Hampton's reintegration into the Lionesses squad and her eventual decision to step away from the national team.

Earps, who was England's starting goalkeeper during their victorious Euro 2022 campaign and their run to the 2023 World Cup final, expressed her discomfort with Hampton's return to the squad in 2023. She disclosed that she had told England coach Sarina Wiegman that bringing Hampton back would be "rewarding bad behavior."

Earps cited Hampton's disruptive behavior behind the scenes during Euro 2022 as her primary concern. When Wiegman informed her that Hampton would be the starting goalkeeper for England's Euro 2025 qualifying match against Sweden, Earps was taken aback.

"I don't get it. It's a qualifier match. And bad behavior is being rewarded," Earps wrote in response to Wiegman's decision.

Hampton went on to start 13 of the 16 matches leading up to Euro 2025. During the tournament, she played every minute and was instrumental in England's victory, saving two penalties in the final shootout against Spain.

Earps recounted a conversation with Wiegman where she was informed that Hampton would be the starting goalkeeper for England's title defense. "I felt the weight of my heart sink to the floor," Earps wrote. She expressed her disappointment and felt that Wiegman could have been more direct and honest with her earlier.

Following the Champions League final in May, Earps confirmed her retirement decision to Wiegman. "I can't do it," Earps stated, to which Wiegman replied, "Wow. I'm so disappointed. What made you change your mind?"

Earps also publicly acknowledged her same-sex relationship for the first time in her autobiography. She shared details about her relationship with her girlfriend, Kitty, stating, "I'm in a really happy relationship. The people closest to me have always known, and I feel ready and happy to share that with everyone else now."

Earps' autobiography, "All In," is set to be published on November 6. Both the Football Association and Chelsea declined to comment when approached by Sky Sports News.