Nike break silence on Mary Earps row with 104-word statement as fans demand to buy England penalty hero’s shirt

NIKE have finally ended their silence on the outrage over their failure to sell the shirt of hero England keeper Mary Earps.

But in a brief statement after the Lionesses’ 1-0 World Cup final loss to Spain, the firm only say they will assess the issue for “future tournaments”.

England keeper Mary Earps and fans were upset her shirt is not availableAlamy

AlamyEarps saved this penalty in the final and was named the World Cup’s best keeper[/caption]

Earps has been “hurt” by Nike’s long-running snub– and pressure has been growing from fans too.

The Manchester United star only enhanced her reputation Down Under – saving a penalty in the final and being named the tournament’s best No1.

Olga Carmona slotted Spain’s winner before Earps plunged to her left to thwart Jenni Hermoso’s spot-kick.

The kit manufacturer’s 104-word statement read: “Nike is committed to women’s football and we’re excited by the passion around this year’s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final.

“We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes.

“We hear and understand the desire for a retail version of a goalkeeper jersey and we are working towards solutions for future tournaments, in partnership with Fifa and the federations.

“The fact that there’s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women’s game and we believe that’s encouraging.”

Nottingham-born Earps, 30, went into the World Cup berating Nike’s “very hurtful” and “hugely disappointing” decision to keep singling out her position for NO top sales.

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The 41-cap ace said: “For my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they’re just going to come out and wear normal clothes.

“I know there’s a lot of people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put ‘1 Earps’ on the back, which doesn’t sit well with me either.

“It’s a very scary message that’s being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that ‘you’re not important’.

“It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.”

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