BBC host Gabby Logan reignites Mary Earps' England shirt row with dig at Nike

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Fans are unable to purchase Mary Earps
Fans are unable to purchase Mary Earps' England shirt

BBC host Gabby Logan has reignited the Mary Earps shirt row after taking a shot at Nike following England's Women's World Cup final defeat by Spain.

Despite the 1-0 loss for the Lionesses, Earps has been the standout player throughout the tournament making numerous incredible saves to help England progress all the way to the final.

Before a ball was kicked, Nike made the decision not to sell any replica goalkeeper kits, including the two Earps wore in Australia and New Zealand. The Lionesses' shot-stopper then went on to win the Golden Glove for the 2023 World Cup, just six months after she was crowned FIFA Best goalkeeper - but it still hasn't encouraged Nike to produce a replica kit.

Gabby Logan continued the row after the final while speaking on BBC. The host said: "She will have inspired so many little girls to go out and try and be a keeper in the back garden. Let's hope that one day they can go and buy her shirts Alex as well. That's the next move." Alex Scott then responded: "That's the next step that everyone wants to see. She deserves this credit and this accolade. To go from being No 3 to No 1."

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Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd eiqdhiddxiqutinvEarps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd

Earps previously revealed her disappointment with Nike for opting against manufacturing a replica goalkeeper shirt. She said: "I can't really sugar-coat this in any way, so I am not going to try. It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful. My shirt on the Manchester United website was sold out last season."

"It was the third-best-selling shirt, so who says it is not selling? It is the young kids I am most concerned about. They are going to say, 'Mum, Dad, can I have a Mary Earps shirt?' and they say, 'I can't, but I can get you an Alessia Russo 23 or a Rachel Daly 9.' What you are saying is that goalkeeping isn't important, but you can be a striker if you want."

The FA responded with assurances that they will look to capitalise on the momentum that England's No 1 has created. Chief Mark Bullingham said this week: "Mary is incredibly passionate about growing goalkeeping, as are we.

"We've got several schemes to get the next generation of goalkeepers coming through. We have got a plan for addressing that issue and it's something we'll get to after the tournament." Nike is yet to respond.

Laura Hartley

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