The FA have responded to claims that goalkeeper Mary Earps had “rejected” the offer of a tribute at an upcoming England match.
Earps retired from international football earlier in the year, ahead of Euro 2025, when Hannah Hampton went into the tournament as first-choice keeper.
Fran Kirby also announced her international retirement at around the same time, with vice-captain Millie Bright confirming hers earlier in October.
Media reports late on Tuesday had suggested that Earps specifically had “rejected” the proposal to celebrate her career at a match – but they have now amended their wording, saying that she was simply “unable to accept” what had been offered and had “postponed” the plans.
And the FA have clarified what their plans are, saying that they are committed to marking the retirements and the contributions of each of the players who have recently retired from international football.
They also say that there is no single specific fixture earmarked to do this, and they continue to speak with the players in the hopes of arranging a mutually convenient date either at the end of December or at the start of 2026.
It seems likely that the most appropriate date and location would have been the upcoming friendly against China, on Saturday, 29th November, at Wembley Stadium.
The Lionesses’ only other match in 2025 now will be at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium, where they play Ghana on Tuesday, 2nd December.
The 2026 calendar will become clearer after the Women’s World Cup qualifying draw, which takes place next month.
Mary Earps and Lionesses’ recent retirements
Mary Earps, aged 32, made her senior England debut in 2017. She collected 53 caps, keeping 26 clean sheets. She was one of the stars of the tournament during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, when she won the Golden Glove, and was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year. She now plays for Paris Saint Germain.
Fran Kirby, also 32, made her England debut in August 2014, and caught the public’s imagination during the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada. She made 77 senior appearances for England, scoring 19 goals. She plays for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League after a long spell with Chelsea and prior to that with Reading.
Chelsea’s Millie Bright, another 32-year-old, made her England debut in September 2016, making 88 appearances and scoring six times. She captained England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup in the absence of the injured Leah Williamson.
