Mel B unleashes fury over Women’s World Cup kit injustice: ‘It’s a disgrace’

Spice Girls star Mel B has expressed her anger over what has become a hot topic of conversation amid the Women’s World Cup.

Outrage began after it emerged that Nike would not be selling Mary Earps’ England goalkeeper shirt.

The England goalie herself hit out at the national team’s kit supplier, describing it as ‘very hurtful’ that fans wouldn’t be able to own replicas of her kit.

Fans were also unable to buy Earps’ shirts during England’s Euro 2022 triumph, with the footie star being assured that the issue would be resolved in time for this year.

However, Nike failed to deliver and put the decision down to their ‘commercial strategy’.

Addressing the controversy on this week’s The Last Leg, host Adam Hills began by explaining: ‘Nike has decided that no one buys the goalkeeper kit, so it’s not worth making one for the World Cup, but Mary Earps is the best goalie in the world.

‘Kids are being denied the chance to wear Mary Earps’ shirt, her own fans…’

‘It’s terrible, it’s not good,’ Mel, 48, chimed in, shaking her head.

When asked how it makes her feel, she replied: ‘Really angry, I’m trying to contain it.

‘It’s not good, just because she’s a goalie to say that people are not gonna wanna buy her kit. If you’re a fan of football, especially the Lionesses, you’ll wanna buy that shirt.’

Pulling out an epic Spice Girls girl power pun, she declared: ‘It should be goal power!’

Alex Brooker then chimed in to remind viewers that it’s ‘not on’ because you can ‘easily’ buy the England men’s goalie shirt, as he owns a replica of Jordan Pickford’s.

‘Oh, don’t get me started!’, raged Mel.

‘That’s even more of a disgusting disgrace that you can’t buy her shirt.

‘It’s bulls**t.’

Adam then explained how the decision doesn’t even make sense.

‘If you look at the women’s Super League clubs, right, Chelsea, Man City, Aston Villa, Liverpool, all sell the women’s goalkeeper kits. As do Manchester United, and Mary Earps is their keeper!’, he said.

‘In fact, it was the third best-selling shirt on their website and it sold out completely!’

‘Somebody must have a vendetta against her or something, because that’s not right,’ Mel said, very unimpressed.

Aussie star Adam then informed the audience that, in Australia, their women’s team has ‘sold more official kit ahead of the World Cup than the men’s team managed during and since the tournament last year.’

‘See, you’ve got it right, then!’, Mel exclaimed.

Scary Spice isn’t the first person to voice their frustrations over the kit fiasco.

Sports pundit Laura Woods recently gave Earps her backing, as she covers the Women’s World Cup for ITV.

The broadcaster tweeted: ‘Mary’s one of my favourite England players. I get it’s not just Nike that do this, but how mad a decision not to produce and sell England GK shirts when that goalkeeper is Mary Earps.

‘And while she’s the reigning FIFA Best GK. And a reigning European Champion. Find that v weird.’

Unable to hide her own disappointment, 30-year-old Earps – who was named best FIFA women’s goalkeeper for 2022 – told press at England’s hotel in Brisbane: ‘I can’t really sugarcoat this anyway so I’m not going to try, it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful.’

‘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,’ she said.

‘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 teammates, 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”.’

She concluded by saying it’s a ‘very scary message’ that is being sent to goalkeepers, making them feel like they are ‘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 teammates have been really supportive.’

Nike has been contacted for comment.

The Last Leg airs Fridays at 10pm on Channel 4 and All4.

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