‘How did you get your hands on goalkeeper’s kits?’ Hilarious moment reporter realises he’s interviewing Lioness Mary Earps’ parents ahead of historic World Cup final

• Eli Mengem caught up with Mary Earps’ parents in Sydney ahead of the final
• READ MORE: Knockoff sellers offering replicas of Mary Earps’ goalkeeper shirt pop up online

The hilarious moment an interviewer discovered he was actually speaking to Mary Earps’ parents has gone viral online – after noticing they were both wearing her replica England goalkeeper jerseys.

Presenter Eli Mengem, who works for football outlet COPA90, approached Julie and David Earps on public transport in Sydney Australia as they travelled to the historic World Cup final at the weekend – wearing their daughter’s goalkeeper shirts.  

In a clip which has gone viral on TikTok, he asked the couple: ‘How did you get your hands on goalkeeper’s kits? They’re meant to be the hardest thing to get your hands on.’

Clearly holding back a grin, David simply quipped: ‘Google.’ 

Julie and David Earps cheekily grinned along while replying as they watched the oblivious reporter slowly realise who he was speaking with.

Julie and David Earps cheekily grinned along while replying as they watched the oblivious reporter slowly realise who he was speaking with

The way the dad kept a straight face the whole time 😭 #soccer #woso #worldcup

‘Why goalkeeper’s kits, the both of you?’ Eli pressed. ‘Just big fans of goalkeepers?’ 

‘Yeah we are, yeah, definitely,’ Mary’s father replied.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the pair said their favourite goalkeeper was their daughter when asked.

‘You’re not related to her, are you?’ Eli asked as the realisation slowly dawned on him, as Mary’s family finally came clean. 

Julie wore a yellow jersey from the first game, while her father donned a green one from the Dutch game.

‘I mean how proud are you two?’ the interviewer questioned in the clip posted on Sunday evening. 

‘We’ll tell you about 10 o’clock tonight!’ David said, referring to the time of the World Cup final in Sydney, where it was held.

A sheepish Eli addressed the hilarious moment while replying to a tweet sharing the TikTok video.

One interviewer was surprised to see two fans wearing Mary Earps’ replica England goalkeeper jerseys – as, to the disappointment and rage of many fans, Nike has stuck by its decision not to sell them. Mary pictured at the World Cup final 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the pair said their favourite goalkeeper was their daughter when asked by the interviewer

‘Covering a tournament will do this to you,’ he wrote.

‘After 3 cities & 30 days, it was only when I remembered you couldn’t actually buy her kit that I clocked the obvious.’

The video, posted on COPA90’s TikTok channel, racked up 1.4 million views. 

And hundreds of commenters were absolutely delighted by Julie and David’s reactions.

‘Her dad is LOVING winding him up,’ one viewer wrote.

‘The way her mu covered her laugh and looked away as her husband played along, wholesome,’ a second added.

Another remarked: ‘Bless… they’re very proud parents!!’

It comes as a long-running saga over the football star’s shirt continued yesterday, as a petition urging for its release neared 90,000 signatures.

The video, posted on COPA90’s TikTok channel, racked up 1.4 million views. And hundreds of commenters were absolutely delighted by Julie and David’s reactions

Sports clothing giant Nike has been embroiled in the drama over its refusal to create a replica of her iconic jersey.

The demand for the football garment has become so high, people have even started trying to make their own dupe tops.

Fake outfits for the goalkeeper have begun popping up online as people try to take advantage of her popularity.

A petition set up on change.org has neared 90,000 and calls for Nike’s decision not to make the shirt to be overturned. 

The player recently savaged Nike after the company released a statement that defended its decision not to sell replica England goalkeeper jerseys.

The Manchester United keeper – who won the golden glove at the World Cup – ridiculed the clothing giant’s remarks, raging: ‘Is this your version of an apology?’

Earps – dubbed ‘Mary Queen of Stops’ after her stunning penalty save in the final –  has become a firm fan favourite as interest in the women’s game has exploded.

But it has been marred by Nike’s controversial decision not to sell the shirt of the Lioness heroine, who has since been hailed as a ‘national hero’ that ‘deserves the world’ following her performance at this year’s tournament. 

Earps – dubbed ‘Mary Queen of Stops’ after her stunning penalty save in the final – has become a firm fan favourite as interest in the women’s game has exploded

The fashion giant came in for criticism even before the tournament started when it became apparent her replica shirts would not be available.

In a statement released after the World Cup final on Sunday, the kit manufacturer said: ‘Nike is committed to women’s football and we’re excited by the passion around this year’s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final.

‘We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes.

‘We 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.

‘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.’

But on Tuesday afternoon, Earps posted a screenshot of the statement on her Instagram stories, adding the comment: ‘@Nike is this your version of an apology/taking accountability/a powerful statement of intent?’

In a following post, Earps provided a link to a change.org petition that started in July, calling on Nike to release the goalkeeper shirt.

And in a sly dig at the fashion giant following Sunday’s final in Sydney, Australia, former England men’s keeper David Seaman tweeted: ‘Bet @Nike are regretting not selling the #MaryEarps shirt now.’

Nike, which manufactures the England kit, has been blasted for choosing not to sell a replica shirt with Earps’ name and number, unlike other players.

Earps discovered she had been left out of promotional pictures when the Lionesses World Cup kit was launched in April and that her shirt would not be available.

The Manchester United keeper raised the issue with Nike and even offered to fund the production herself but was told this would not be possible.

The England goalie, whose roaring ‘f*** off’ after she saved Jennifer Hermoso’s penalty became a standout moment from the women’s World Cup Final, slammed Nike’s ‘hugely hurtful’ decision not to stock replicas of her shirt for fans to buy. 

Speaking at Brisbane hotel last month about how the fashion giant was not selling her jersey, Earps said: ‘I can’t really sugarcoat this any way 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.

Earps discovered she had been left out of promotional pictures when the Lionesses World Cup kit was launched in April and that her shirt would not be available. Pictured during the final

‘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.’

Fans of Earps reacted with outrage upon signing the petition calling for replica shirts to be manufactured by Nike.

One said: ‘She has done us all proud – she is an exceptional goal keeper and a total inspiration to all young girls and boys to be honest. Total respect.’

Others dubbed her ‘Queen Mary’ and told how she had inspired their children to take up football.

Another said: ‘Goalkeepers should have the recognition they deserve, they are part of the team after all. 

‘Mary Earps saved our early exit from the world cup several times! Come on! She and they deserve the recognition!!!’ 

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