Eni Aluko has weighed in to the Hannah Hampton-Mary Earps saga, defending the former England number one amid a storm of controversy.
The release of Mary Earps’ book has sent shockwaves throughout the world of women’s football, and Eni Aluko is the latest ex pro to have her say on the drama.
Eni Aluko defends Earps against ‘mob’
The book details the experiences of Earps towards the end of her international career. Earps described an ‘uncomfortable environment’ created by Hannah Hampton which led to her retiring from international football earlier this year.
Eni Aluko is no stranger to being berated in the media and the former Lioness turned pundit came to Earps’ defence this week.
“I do have some empathy for Mary because I have been in that situation before, where you come out and you say: ‘I didn’t like what happened there in this England environment’. And when you do that, sometimes you get demonised just for giving your perspective and saying I think that’s wrong.
“The timing is the problem, maybe she’s been ill-advised”
Eni Aluko states that she has ’empathy’ for Mary Earps after recent comments against Hannah Hampton and Sarina Wiegman 💬 pic.twitter.com/WUZQKo2T80
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 10, 2025
“So Mary has written a book, she has given her perspective, and she is entitled to that perspective. I don’t really like this sense of sort of mob culture where you try to silence someone for just giving their perspective.”
That perspective from Earps has come as a shock to most England fans, who have been given an added insight into the England camp following the release of “Mary Earps: All In: Football, Life and Learning to be Unapologetically Me.”
Aluko herself was also involved in drama within the media earlier this year.
The England centurion got into a heated row with Ian Wright over his presence in the women’s game during Euro 2025.
Aluko and Wright eventually mended their relationship and they are now both on air for ITV coverage of international football.
Former pros taking sides
Eni Aluko isn’t the only ex player who has had her say on the Hannah Hampton-Mary Earps drama.
Millie Bright – who retired from international football shortly after Earps – refused to comment on the situation despite having close ties with both goalkeepers.
Former Lionesses Anita Asante, Fara Williams and Ellen White have all defended Hampton after the book’s release
It hasn’t just been players getting involved though, as Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor came to the defence of her goalkeeper.
The French manager said Earps should ‘think before you speak’ after exposing some of her former teammates.
Earps also had strong words for England boss Sarina Wiegman in her book, but she hopes to repair that relationship in the future.
