24 August 2023 , 09:52
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A petition in support of England goalkeeper Mary Earps in her ongoing feud with Nike has reached its goal of 150k signatures as pressure continues to mount against the sporting apparel giant.
Nike came under heavy criticism in the lead up to the Women's World Cup for its refusal to sell any replica women's goalkeeper shirts.
Earps' Manchester United goalkeeper shirt was the third-best sold shirt last season, eventually selling out due to high demand.
The 30-year-old personally approached Nike for an answer in regards to their decision not to sell women's goalkeepers shirts. Nevertheless those Lionesses and women's football fans looking to don an England shirt with Earps' name emblazoned on the back, or that of any international women's goalkeeper, were left disappointed by Nike's lack of offer at this summer's showpiece event.
The United shot-stopper, nicknamed Mary Queen of Stops, said previously that the decision not to produce a full set was "very hurtful".
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
She added: "(Kids) are going to say 'Mum, dad, can I have a Mary Earps shirt?' And they'll say, 'I can't, but I can get you an Alessia Russo 23, or a Rachel Daly 9.'
"And so what you are saying is that goalkeeping isn't important, but you can be a striker if you want."
Earps' consistent impressive displays to help England reach a first-ever Women's World Cup final not only earned her the tournament's Golden Glove award--she conceded just four goals across seven matches--but have increasingly exacerbated Nike's perilous position.
Her penalty save to deny Spain's Jennifer Hermoso in the second half of their Women's World Cup clash was especially significant in garnering attention towards the shirt debacle. Earps is only the second World Cup goalkeeper, men's or women's, in history to save a penalty in regular time of a final.
Mary Earps with the Women's World Cup Golden Glove award (AP)The heroics ignited waves of support for the online petition, which is demanding that Nike overturn its decision.
Nike released a fresh statement shortly after the final stating that "solutions for future tournaments" are in the pipeline.
The presumption is that purchasing Earps' and other women's goalkeeping shirts will be easier in the future.
The statement did not seem to satisfy Earps, who took to Instagram on Tuesday and posted a photo on her story that included the statement from Nike, with her own message which read: "@Nike is this your version of an apology/taking accountability/a powerful statement of intent?"
The more than 150k signatures in support of Earps is set to augment the feud surrounding Nike and its decision-makers.
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