Nike issue statement on refusing to sell Earps’ England shirt after World Cup

England suffer Women’s World Cup final heartache against Spain

Nike have broken their silence after coming under fire for failing to produce and sell the England Lionesses’ goalkeeper shirt this summer. The decision not to manufacture Mary Earps’ strip proved to be a lapse in judgement by the company, with the shot-stopper going on to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup Golden Glove for her performances between the sticks.

Earps’ performances were a talking point for England throughout the competition. She made numerous smart saves as Sarina Wiegman’s side progressed through to the final. The Manchester United star was in equally as scintillating form against Spain, keeping out a penalty among several stops, but England ultimately had to settle for silver medals in Australia.

As a result of Earps’ displays, serious questions have been raised about Nike’s decision not to sell her shirt this summer. They did so despite the player going on record to explain that she had offered to help fund the manufacturing of the strips.

The company have remained somewhat silent throughout the ordeal, but have since released a statement following the final which read: “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.

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“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.”

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Before flying out to Australia, Earps spoke in detail about how she believed it was ‘hurtful’ for Nike to decide not to produce the shirts – feeling that it will be damaging to the next generation of young girls that wanted to follow in her footsteps and become a goalkeeper.

She explained: “For my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they’re just going to come out and wear normal clothes. I know there’s a lot of people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put ‘1 Earps’ on the back, which doesn’t sit well with me either.

“It’s a very scary message that’s being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that ‘you’re not important’. It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.”

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