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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the hero worship of Mary Earps is misguided and hypocritical

249 replies

MXVIT · 21/08/2023 12:21

The lionesses have made history and done wonders for womens football. Not up for question. I find the attitude of victory in defeat a bit much but that's a national pastime since we win bugger all.

But the hero worship of Mary Earps, odd one for me. I'm no prude but the language she used against her opponents was gross, unsportspersonlike and unprofessional, there are ways of showing you're passionate other than this - it blows my mind that we're saying how wonderful this conduct is as a role model for children and it would 100 percent not be tolerated in the men's game

And to head off any replies around "the lionesses aren't asking to be role models for kids"...yes they are. Sorry.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 21/08/2023 17:01

Mikimoto · 21/08/2023 16:51

So the "model" is to not have A-levels, get covered in cheap tattoos and swear disgustingly in front of millions of kids on national tv?
How about any male partners involved: do they were polo shirts done up to the top, and white trainers? Because that's a great look.

What?

These women have built professional careers by excelling in sports that they love. Why on earth would it matter if they have A-levels or not? Are kids who aren't academic not allowed to have role models to look up to?

In any case, Mary Earps has a degree from Loughborough University, I believe.

As I'm not a horrible snob, I don't judge people on stuff like tattoos etc. They're not usually to my taste but it's not my concern. Would "expensive" tattoos be better, I wonder?

I have no idea what you're talking about with regard to their male partners or why they would in any way be relevant. I couldn't care less what their male partners might wear, or if they're single, gay or whatever. Who cares?

And apart from a few pearl clutchers, who really cares about the swearing either? Most kids will have heard far worse in the playground at school!

Fixyourself · 21/08/2023 17:06

What about the male players? Are they all perfect role models?
What a fucking ridiculous and hypercritical post!

AreYouShittingMe · 21/08/2023 17:06

@titbumwillypoo I think the issue is Mary wasn't swearing at anyone, and a World Cup final isn't a 'normal day at the office'. Emotions were high. If professional sports men and women were constantly thinking 'I must not swear' then they won't perform as well, as they won't be focussed on the task in hand. They need to focus and not worry about the cameras. It's a bit different from swearing off the pitch/ away from the game. It was a release of emotion in a stressful situation. It's bad enough knowing you need to perform well without the weight of expectation of a nation on you.

Distantbells789 · 21/08/2023 17:06

Mikimoto · 21/08/2023 16:51

So the "model" is to not have A-levels, get covered in cheap tattoos and swear disgustingly in front of millions of kids on national tv?
How about any male partners involved: do they were polo shirts done up to the top, and white trainers? Because that's a great look.

What a snobbish outlook! A levels aren’t everything. Some people aren’t academic but are very physically gifted. Some people are both mentally and physically gifted and chose to focus on sport. And what precisely do their male or female partners have to do with anything, especially their attire? Are you quite well?

Team sport at this level is a serious business. Every Lioness is hugely talented and has worked extremely hard and made huge sacrifices to have won their place on the team. Mary Earps is a particularly brave and committed player. Why are you denigrating her and putting her down?

BitOutOfPractice · 21/08/2023 17:15

@almostoverthehill i am no spring chicken. I love football. I love swearing. In fact, swearing at football is an all time favourite pastime of mine. And trust me, I support a team that takes a lot of swearing at. 😬

Wenfy · 21/08/2023 17:16

Male footballers say worse it just isn’t filmed or made anything of. A woman suddenly uses the f word and everyone gets their knickers in a twist.

Sparklesocks · 21/08/2023 17:51

Mikimoto · 21/08/2023 16:51

So the "model" is to not have A-levels, get covered in cheap tattoos and swear disgustingly in front of millions of kids on national tv?
How about any male partners involved: do they were polo shirts done up to the top, and white trainers? Because that's a great look.

You must be very fragile if such minor things upset you so much

mrploppypenguin · 21/08/2023 17:55

Mikimoto · 21/08/2023 16:51

So the "model" is to not have A-levels, get covered in cheap tattoos and swear disgustingly in front of millions of kids on national tv?
How about any male partners involved: do they were polo shirts done up to the top, and white trainers? Because that's a great look.

Is this a serious comment!?

PalomaPalomaPaloma · 21/08/2023 17:57

MissJoGrant · 21/08/2023 12:32

"we win bugger all"

The lionesses are the current European champions.

And the second best team in the world,!!

TheFutureIs · 21/08/2023 18:01

@MXVIT I've got one thing to say to you "FUCK OFF" in the style of Mary Earps

She's an awesome role model, quite happy for my daughter to aspire to be like her. Fab at her job and passionate about it too!

JamieFrasersfurrysporran · 21/08/2023 18:40

Fucks sake

10HailMarys · 21/08/2023 18:49

it would 100 percent not be tolerated in the men's game

That’s one way to tell us that you’ve never seen a men’s football match in your life, I suppose.

I’ve been watching the men’s game for 43 years. They swear all the time and provided it’s not dissent at the officials or racist slurs, nobody cares. And that’s at all levels, from Sunday league to internationals.

I hate it when people expect women’s football to be all sweetness and light. It’s football. Football is a tough contact sport and aggression and extreme competitiveness is part of the game. Don’t expect the players or the crowd at a women’s game to behave like they’re playing for a crowd of five-year-olds just because they’re women.

NoMoreNonense · 21/08/2023 19:07

MXVIT · 21/08/2023 12:21

The lionesses have made history and done wonders for womens football. Not up for question. I find the attitude of victory in defeat a bit much but that's a national pastime since we win bugger all.

But the hero worship of Mary Earps, odd one for me. I'm no prude but the language she used against her opponents was gross, unsportspersonlike and unprofessional, there are ways of showing you're passionate other than this - it blows my mind that we're saying how wonderful this conduct is as a role model for children and it would 100 percent not be tolerated in the men's game

And to head off any replies around "the lionesses aren't asking to be role models for kids"...yes they are. Sorry.

Oh do fuck off

CostelloJones · 21/08/2023 19:08

You’re right OP

A far better role model for girls would be someone who stood there politely, and didn’t celebrate loudly. So immodest and un feminine…

fucking disgraceful, innit 😜

PinkSkiesAtNight · 21/08/2023 19:08

LubaLuca · 21/08/2023 12:33

She swore, at nobody in particular, loudly and passionately after succeeding under huge amounts of pressure. Big deal. Nobody's saying this is the reason she's a hero, it's just an amusing clip from the match.

I don't know if the Spanish players were swearing too, I can't speak Spanish.

Oh yes!!!! They were swearing away. I can't remember her name, but the one who went off for a moment with a leg injury, but then came back...she was swearing like a trooper!

Overthehill123 · 21/08/2023 19:35

I absolutely fucking love her, imagine her adrenaline in that moment, she deserved to celebrate whatever way she wanted!

Nagado · 21/08/2023 20:10

it blows my mind that we're saying how wonderful this conduct is as a role model for children and it would 100 percent not be tolerated in the men's game

Bollocks. If England’s men’s team got to the World Cup final, the goalie could announce that he had run a bunch of nuns over on the way to the match and, if he saved a goal from the other team, there would be complete forgiveness and the nuns would be told they shouldn’t have been walking on that bit of pavement.

And men’s football teams throughout the world may not tolerate swearing, but as they do tolerate alleged rapists, domestic abusers, substance abuse, use of sex workers, gambling addictions, racism, homophobia etc, they aren’t exactly a group of people I’d be encouraging any young person to aspire to. I think your principles are a bit skewed.

The Lionesses have achieved huge things, both on the pitch and in showing that football isn’t something that only boys can be good at. They are fucking brilliant and if you can only see their defeat, then maybe it’s you who has the problem.

ThinWomansBrain · 21/08/2023 20:12

Better that than the one that got sent off for stamping on another player.

SgtPercyTwentyman · 21/08/2023 20:19

The 'keeper who doesn't swear hasn't been born yet.

dikwad · 21/08/2023 20:30

Mikimoto · 21/08/2023 16:51

So the "model" is to not have A-levels, get covered in cheap tattoos and swear disgustingly in front of millions of kids on national tv?
How about any male partners involved: do they were polo shirts done up to the top, and white trainers? Because that's a great look.

Yes, and probably earn more than little Amanda who did her Alevels and went into a low income, part time job so she could look after the kiddies and ring her interfering mother every other day, not daring to get a tattoo because her husband, with his 9-5 job but who doesn't get home until gone 7pm, who doesn't do anything in the house to help because he's got a penis, wouldn't find it 'feminine' enough and in 15 years time will be asking us MNetters if we think she should leave said husband because he's been looking up sex workers. Would that be 'model' enough for you?

Incidentally, I've got no Alevels, 7 tattoos with another one being done on Saturday, I earn close to 60k a year, in the north, paid my mortgage off at 37 years old, swear like a docker and make my equally well earning husband do his share of housework. I guess I'm not 'model' enough?!

BlastedIce · 21/08/2023 21:06

Mikimoto · 21/08/2023 16:51

So the "model" is to not have A-levels, get covered in cheap tattoos and swear disgustingly in front of millions of kids on national tv?
How about any male partners involved: do they were polo shirts done up to the top, and white trainers? Because that's a great look.

Do people like this still exist??

”Cheap” tattoos, how do you know the cost of the tattoos?

”swear disgustingly” what the fucking hell does that mean? Swearing is just cunting swearing?

It’s 2023 and we have a te of women that are fucking ace!

get over your misogyny!

CostelloJones · 21/08/2023 21:11

Mary, Mary, Mary
a wee bit fucking sweary,
do we wish you were contrary?
No, we like you lairy!!

BlastedIce · 21/08/2023 21:12

CostelloJones · 21/08/2023 21:11

Mary, Mary, Mary
a wee bit fucking sweary,
do we wish you were contrary?
No, we like you lairy!!

😂 😂

BlastedIce · 21/08/2023 21:15

Mary Mary quite contrary
How does your goal mouth go?
With cheating Spaniards and cunting footballers
And saving fucking penalties all in a row

CostelloJones · 21/08/2023 21:18

Mary is our goalie
Mary is our Queen
Mary has a potty mouth
and saves that must be seen