U-turn by Nike means Mary Earps goalkeeper shirts will go on sale
The Nottingham born Lioness and World Cup Golden Glove winner said initial refusal by the sports brand was "very hurtful"
Last updated 25th Aug 2023
A limited number of replica Mary Earps goalkeeping shirts are finally being made available to buy by England kit manufacturer Nike, after significant public pressure.
Earps first challenged the retailer when it announced her kit would not be sold alongside those of her out-field team mates.
In a public statement before the tournament, Earps called Nike's decision "hugely disappointing and very hurtful".
She said: “It is the young kids I am most concerned about. They are going to say, ‘Mum, Dad, can I have a Mary Earps shirt?’ and they say, ‘I can’t, but I can get you an Alessia Russo 23 or a Rachel Daly 9.’
"What you are saying is that goalkeeping isn’t important, but you can be a striker if you want. That is why the participation rate is so much lower.”
A petition in support of Earps, who won the tournament’s Golden Glove award, and “all female goalkeepers around the world” has gained more than 150,000 signatures.
The petition got a huge boost after the World Cup final, when Earps made saved a penalty against Spain, who went on to take the trophy, winning 1-0.
The Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, a former sports minister, submitted a motion in parliament calling on Nike to release a jersey.
There were also calls from BBC sport presenters like Gabby Logan throughout the tournament.
The company has now acted, with a spokesperson saying on Thursday: "We've seen and share the unprecedented passion and interest in women's football this year and remain committed to playing our part by offering the best products and services to athletes and fans.
"We invested more in this year's World Cup than any other global tournament to date. Nike has secured limited quantities of goalkeeper jerseys for England, (the United States), France and the Netherlands to be sold through the federation websites over the coming days, and we are also in conversations with our other federation partners.
"We recognise that during the tournament we didn't serve those fans who wished to show their passion and support to the squad's goalkeepers. We are committed to retailing women's goalkeeping jerseys for major tournaments in the future."