Mary Earps has hit out at ‘hurtful’ criticism after a fan accused her of being ‘too important’ to meet their daughter after ’s win over .
The Lionesses No.1 kept a clean sheet as United ran out 5-0 winners in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
The 30-year-old posed for photos with several supporters after the game, but one fan was unhappy after their daughter was missed.
A comment posted after the match on Instagram, which tagged Earps’ account,read: ‘Thank you Ella Toone & Nikita Parris for stopping to meet my daughter today. It’s a shame Mary Earps is far too busy and important to stop for her fans these days!!’
Earps then posted a screenshot of the comment with her response: ‘I try to ignore comments like these – but after a great win & spending so much time post-game meeting so many of you lovely lot afterwards, it’s hurtful to get home and get tagged in comments like these. Be kind. Happy Sunday. Love Mary x’
The comment from the fan towards Earps raises further questions over the entitlement some supporters feel when attending women’s matches, given the better accessibility they have in comparison with the men’s game.
Jamie Spencer, who contributes to the matchday programme for United’s women’s side, defended Earps as he wrote on X: ‘Mary Earps kept a clean sheet in a 5-0 win yesterday, gave up her time afterwards to engage with fans and still got home to nasty stuff like this because it was impossible to get to everyone.
‘Mary has always been one of the most generous with her time when she absolutely doesn’t owe it to anyone.
‘Don’t go to football if you think it entitles you to ‘meet’ any player you want.
Too many examples where that over watching the match is a motivation. Players are humans, not collectibles.
‘Players hate letting anyone down in this situations, but it’s no longer viable to have the close connection at all if that’s the reaction from someone who doesn’t get an autograph. We’ve reached the point where a selfish & entitled minority have firmly ruined it for everyone.’
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