20 August 2023 , 15:59
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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
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.