Ellen White expresses concern as Mary Earps opens up about strained relationships and emotional conflicts within the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 team environment

Former England star Ellen White has spoken candidly about her discomfort regarding Mary Earps’ new autobiography — a book that dives deep into the behind-the-scenes relationships within Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad.

While White expressed admiration for Earps’ courage, she also admitted feeling uneasy about the personal details shared about the England dressing room.

A Book Stirring Up Debate

Mary Earps, 32, who retired from international football earlier this year, has just released her memoir titled All In: Football, Life and Learning to Be Unapologetically Me.

The book offers an intimate look at her journey through football, her emotional highs and lows, and her relationships with both manager Sarina Wiegman and fellow goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

Earps doesn’t shy away from addressing tension, describing her fallout with Wiegman and her “misalignment of values” with Hampton.

The Sanctity of the Dressing Room

For Ellen White, who shared the pitch with Earps during England’s victorious Euro 2022 campaign, the revelations hit close to home.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live, the 36-year-old confessed that while she understands Earps’ need to share her truth, the decision to lift the curtain on team dynamics made her feel uneasy.

White explained that among players, there’s an unspoken code — a kind of unwritten rule that what happens in the dressing room stays there.

“It made me nervous,” she admitted.

“As Lionesses, we’ve always had this trust — that everything inside our bubble remains between us. That’s what makes it special.”

She went on to say that while she still feels deep affection and empathy for Earps, she personally would never discuss what happened within that environment. “It’s sacred,” she said firmly.

A Bond That Felt Unbreakable

Reflecting on the team’s rise under Sarina Wiegman, White described the group as having built something incredibly strong and rare.

“When Sarina came in, we created a culture that felt unbreakable,” she recalled.

“During 2022, nothing came between us — not differences, not pressure, not outside noise.”

But now, with private matters from that time surfacing in print, White admitted it feels like the unity they built has been “penetrated a little bit.”

Still, she reminded listeners that it’s normal not to get along perfectly with everyone in a team, but mutual respect and shared purpose always kept the Lionesses united.

“All 23 players brought something unique that made us champions,” she said proudly.

“We’d fight for each other and protect that bubble with everything we had. That’s why it’s hard to see those walls come down now.”

Pundits Split Over Earps’ Decision

The controversy has drawn reactions from several football figures, each with their own take on Earps’ decision to publish the book so soon after her retirement.

Ian Wright voiced concern about the emotional toll on both Earps and Hannah Hampton, noting that such revelations usually surface years later, not while memories and relationships are still fresh.

“They’re not used to this kind of scrutiny,” Wright said. “That’s worrying.”

Roy Keane, however, took a firmer stance, suggesting Earps knew exactly what she was doing.

“She’s not naive,” he commented, implying she was fully aware the book would cause a stir.

Meanwhile, Gary Neville offered a more reflective perspective, questioning whether the timing was right.

“I remember writing my autobiography,” he said.

“But I didn’t release it until after I retired — I didn’t want it hanging over me while still involved in the game.”

What’s Next for the Lionesses Legacy?

As reactions continue to pour in, the debate over Mary Earps’ book has opened a broader conversation about privacy, honesty, and loyalty within sports teams.

While some see her story as an empowering act of transparency, others — like Ellen White — worry it may chip away at the sacred trust that helped define the Lionesses’ golden era.

What remains clear is that both Earps and her former teammates are navigating the delicate balance between personal truth and team loyalty — a challenge that goes far beyond the football pitch.