More than 120,000 people sign petition demanding Nike make jersey with goalkeeper Mary Earps' name
More than 120,000 people have signed a petition calling on Nike to make English goalkeeper Mary Earps' shirt.
Earps, who is nicknamed Mary Queen of Stops, won the Golden Glove and was named keeper of the World Cup after she saved a penalty during Sunday's final.
But while Lionesses' fans can get replica shirts printed with the names of the outfield players - such as Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze - they can't get one with Earps' name on it.
MARY EARPS!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 20, 2023
That's it! #FIFAWWC #ENG #ESP #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/US7kyqBGf4
The 30-year-old said last month the lack of goalkeeper shirts represents a 'scary message being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that you are not important'.
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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."
The petition, which was started in July, calls on Nike to rethink its decision.
"Mary has tried to resolve this issue, even offering to fund the shirts herself so fans would not be let down, but why should she? It seems that she was even left out of the promotional pictures when the Lionesses kit was launched in April ahead of the World Cup," the petition reads.
It continues: "Mary’s Manchester United Goalkeeper shirt was the third best selling shirt and sold out, which clearly demonstrates demand, so why has the decision not to sell the shirt for the World Cup been made?
"We need to unite, and demand this decision is over turned. We need to show togetherness and support Mary and ask Nike to rethink their decision.
"Let’s make them see just how important our female goalkeepers are. How respected they are and how many young girls aspire to join them in the future."
The petition has already amassed over 80,000 signatures and Nike has released a statement in response.
"We hear and understand the desire for a retail version of goalkeeper jerseys, and this is something we will certainly take into consideration for future tournaments in partnership with FIFA and the federations," a spokesperson for the company said.
"The fact that there's a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women's game and we believe that's encouraging."
Australians are also calling on Nike to start producing the No. 18 jersey worn by Matildas' goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold during the World Cup.
After the Matildas nail-baiting semi-final qualifying match against France, Aussie fans raced to buy the goalkeeper's kit only to find that Nike didn't make them.
"PLEASE LET ME BUY A MACKENZIE ARNOLD KEEPER KIT," one person asked the company on X.
Another added: "The amount of Mackenzie Arnold jerseys that’ll sell tomorrow… Oh wait."
A third said: “Sell me a Mackenzie Arnold jersey you cowards @nikefootball!”
A fourth quipped: “So @Nike when do we get goalie jerseys bc I just know Mackenzie Arnold’s black kit would fly off the shelves after that match."
Keryn Donnelly