England fans pile the pressure on Nike to start selling goalkeeper Earps' shirt

England fans have called upon Nike to produce a replica version of Mary Earps goalkeeper shirt ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday.

With Earps retaining her place in goal, Sarina Wiegman's side triumphed over Australia on Wednesday with goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo securing a historic victory.

Sportswear giant Nike manufacture the Lionesses' kits and posted a congratulatory message on their Instagram account, captioning the post: 'Pure energy. Just one game separates the pack from the [title]. Like A Lioness.'

While the post included several of the teams top stars including Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Georgia Stanway, Earps was noticeably absent, with deputies Hannah Hampton and Ellie Roebuck also not included.

England fans were quick to notice the omission, and congregated in the comment section to put pressure on Nike to produce a replica ahead of England's first appearance in a Women's World Cup final on Sunday.

One fan wrote: 'Not putting Mary Earps on here because you're not selling the shirt #shameful.'

Another added: 'What a shame no goalkeeper can celebrate the historic achievement by wearing the shirt of their idol. Not good enough.'

A further fan wrote: 'You do realise that Mary Earps is making your decision to not sell her shirt look more and more ridiculous as the days go by.'

Another fan added: 'STILL NO EARPS SHIRT. Disgraceful.'

The reaction comes after Earps, who was named FIFA's Best Women’s Goalkeeper for 2022, revealed prior to the tournament that the sportswear giant had elected not to produce replicas of her goalkeeper's shirt.

With the decision not to produce replicas said to be based on Nike's commercial strategy, Earps offered to personally fund the production but was rebuffed.

Speaking before the tournament, the Manchester United goalkeeper admitted that the decision not produce goalkeeper kits was 'hurtful'.

‘I can’t really sugarcoat this any way so I’m not going to try, it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful,’ Earps said last month.

‘It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.

‘Unfortunately it’s become very evident that is not possible and there’s not going to be an acceptable solution for the young kids out there. On a personal level it’s obviously hugely hurtful, considering the last 12 months especially.

‘For my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they’re just going to come out and wear normal clothes. All my team-mates, they’ve ordered a lot of shirts for their friends and family, they’re talking at the dinner table “I wasn’t able to get this” and I’m saying “I wasn’t able to get it at all”.

‘I know there’s a lot of people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put ‘1 Earps’ on the back, which doesn’t sit well with me either.

‘It’s a very scary message that’s being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that “you’re not important”

‘A lesson I’ve learned is that I should have made a public statement sooner maybe. I look back on it and I’ve tried everything. I offered to fund it myself and my team-mates have been really supportive.’