<\/p>\n
Mary Earps has won her goalkeeper kit row with Nike after the manufacturer was forced into a U-turn.<\/p>\n
The England goalkeeper, who starred at the 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup, has been embroiled in a heated row with the sportswear brand in recent months, The Sun <\/a>reports.<\/p>\n Nike angered players and fans by choosing not to retail replica goalkeeper shirts for the Women\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n The decision left supporters unable to purchase the star\u2019s kit during England\u2019s run to the final.<\/p>\n Although Nike argued that keeper kits do not sell as well, they have reportedly now U-turned on their decision.<\/p>\n According to The New York Times<\/a>, Nike have said that limited quantities of the shirts will now be made available for retail.<\/p>\n The decision comes after their feud with Earps was reignited this week.<\/p>\n Earps took to social media to blast the brand after they broke their silence with a supposed apology.<\/p>\n Nike released a 104-word statement addressing the goalkeeper shirt debate.<\/p>\n \u201cNike is committed to women\u2019s football and we\u2019re excited by the passion around this year\u2019s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that there\u2019s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women\u2019s game and we believe that\u2019s encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n Earps was not happy with the response.<\/p>\n \u201cFor my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they\u2019re just going to come out and wear normal clothes,\u201d Earps said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know there\u2019s a lot of people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put \u20181 Earps\u2019 on the back, which doesn\u2019t sit well with me either.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very scary message that\u2019s being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that \u2018you\u2019re not important\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019ve been fighting behind closed doors. I\u2019ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.\u201d<\/p>\n Fans had been unable to buy Earps\u2019 shirt despite the Manchester United stopper winning the golden glove and saving a penalty in the final.<\/p>\n Her own parents were even forced to wear match-worn jerseys to Sunday\u2019s loss against Spain.<\/p>\n In response to Nike\u2019s stance, Earps\u2019 own clothing line have been selling t-shirts for her fans, with both their designs selling out.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, another company have produced a \u201c100% unofficial\u201d shirt featuring the England badge alongside Earps\u2019 name and number.<\/p>\n The Nike logo has also been replaced with the words \u201cJust did it\u201d on the shirts in a dig at the brand\u2019s slogan.<\/p>\n – This article originally appeared in The Sun <\/a>and was republished with permission.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n