Barton continues women's football gripe as he belittles Earps after SPOTY prize
Joey Barton has made light of Mary Earps after she was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year as he continues his war of words against women's football.
The player turned manager recently made headlines when he aired his frustration with women pundits and commentators discussing the men's game. He's now taken aim at Earps, who helped England reach the final of the World Cup, saving a penalty as the Lionesses were eventually beaten by Spain.
The Manchester United goalkeeper has become renowned for her ability at saving spot kicks, but Barton made it known that he'd have no problem in converting from 12 yards against Earps. He said on social media: "I’d score 100 out of 100 penalties against Mary Earps. Any day of the week. Twice on a f****** Sunday."
Those comments come after he'd belittled Earps' achievements over the past 12 months. Barton said: "So the best sports person this year is… A Women Goalie. Lost in a couple of finals this year. Not won a sausage. So popular that Nike didn’t even sell a replica jersey before tournament. You telling me all those who jumped on that bandwagon, haven’t voted in the BBC nonsense? Good luck to Mary. Hope she makes a few quid."
Barton's penalty declaration comes after the ex-Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder scored six out of the seven spot kicks he took during his career. His miss came in a 2-0 reverse against Aston Villa in which he failed to hit the target. His comments come after the Prince of Wales congratulated the England goalkeeper following her SPOTY triumph. Prince William, who is president of the FA, sent the 30-year-old a message on social media, posting: “Hugely well deserved, Mary. Congratulations! W”.
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
Joey Barton has made his feelings clear on Mary Earps' success (CameraSport via Getty Images)Earps, a key part of the Lionesses side that reached the Women’s World Cup final in the summer, topped the public vote for the award ahead of former England cricketer Stuart Broad and world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson. She hailed the part played by her England and Manchester United team-mates as she accepted the accolade on Tuesday evening.
“I would not be here without my team-mates with the Lionesses and at Manchester United because we’ve achieved some incredible things over the last couple of years,” she said. “While individual accolades are great, they only come after team success. This is their trophy just as much as mine.”
The ‘Queen of Stops’ saved a penalty from Spain’s Jenni Hermoso in the World Cup final in August, but the Lionesses were unable to add to their 2022 European crown as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Sydney.
The Lionesses goalkeeper saved a World Cup final penalty (Getty Images)Her rise to prominence has come after her career appeared at a crossroads back in 2021 and she acknowledged during the BBC show that she felt she had “lost purpose” after losing her place in the England team - before being recalled by current England boss Sarina Wiegman that September following a two-year absence.
Earps said: “I always committed to myself that anything I would have after that period of time (out of the England team) would be a bonus and it just hasn’t stopped yet. I’m just trying to make the most of everything, because when it stops, you miss it.” Barton, who won one England cap during his playing career, has never been nominated for Sport Personality of the Year.
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