Mary Earps calls out Nike amid row over refusal to sell her replica goalkeeper shirt

Mary Earps has called out Nike over a statement they released defending their decision not to sell a replica of the England goalkeeper shirts. 

Nike is the supplier of the football kit for the women’s national team and already received criticism before the world cup for not making England goalkeeper shirts for fans.

Previously, the Lioness goalie had called the decision ‘hugely disappointing and very hurtful’.

After reaching the World Cup final but being defeated by Spain, the United keeper went on to win the Golden Glove after the tournament.

As the women’s game has taken off, Earps has gained much popularity becoming a firm favourite amongst fans.

In a statement, sportswear giant Nike said the company was ‘working towards solutions for future tournaments’.

On Tuesday afternoon, Earps posted a screenshot of the statement on her Instagram stories, adding the comment: “@Nike is this your version of an apology/taking accountability/a powerful statement of intent?”

In a following post, Earps provided a link to a petition on change.org calling on Nike to release the goalkeeper shirt. The petition, which started in July, has nearly 140,000 signatories and counting.

In a statement released after the final, Nike said: “Nike is committed to women’s football and we’re excited by the passion around this year’s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final.

“We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes.

“We hear and understand the desire for a retail version of a goalkeeper jersey and we are working towards solutions for future tournaments, in partnership with FIFA and the federations.

“The fact that there’s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women’s game and we believe that’s encouraging.”

Although a replica goalkeeper shirt is currently not for sale, that didn’t stop some fans from sporting her number on a jersey during the final.

Some fans created their own makeshift shirts, using marker pens, in support of the footballing star.

Over the weekend fans posted images of their homemade shirts, with some writing Earps’ name on them, while others had them printed.