- Mary Earps was announced as the winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year
- After her win, Morgan and others expressed their dissatisfaction on social media
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Piers Morgan led the complaints on social media after England star Mary Earps won BBC Sport Personality of the Year on Tuesday night.
The Lionesses goalkeeper was the overwhelming favorite to win the annual gong in Salford as she followed tennis star Emma Raducanu and England teammate Beth Mead in collecting the award.
The award confirmed the growth of women's football with consecutive winners, as well as Earp's rising profile in recent years.
Earps, who was part of the victorious England squad at the European Championships in 2022, helped the Lionesses reach the Women's World Cup final for the first time in Australia and New Zealand.
Despite Earps' role in England's World Cup run this year, some – including Piers Morgan – insisted the Lionesses star should not have claimed the prize.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps won the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award on Tuesday
Piers Morgan was quick to question Earps' triumph and suggest others were more worthy
Morgan was referring to the fact that England's female players have won the award in a row
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On “Sullivan never won it.”
Another angry user wrote: 'And world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't win because… Fair play to Mary Earps, but there were ten other players on that team. #SPOTY23'
'May I ask why Mary Earp's SPOTY won? What has she done besides save a pin in a big game????? BBC snobbery means deserving winners like Ronnie O'Sullivan never get a look,' one fan wondered.
“#SPOTY being won by Mary Earps is a joke… they didn't even qualify for the Olympics,” another user commented.
One user wrote, “Of course Mary Earps won. What a joke. Completely undeserved #BBCSPOTY'.
'#maryearps wins #SPOTY23 because he helped England not win anything. Oh, but she did save a penalty so that's good enough, such a political winner this year, second and third weren't much better either,” said another.
Interestingly, Joey Barton — who recently shared a series of misogynistic posts on social media — weighed in on Earps' triumph, but in an unexpected way.
In a simple post, Barton wrote: “Well done Mary,” with a number of hand clapping emojis accompanying the message.
Others expressed their approval of Morgan shortly after Earps claimed the award
However, Joey Barton was quick to praise the England international for her performance
Reflecting on her triumph at the BBC Sport Personality of the Year awards, Earps said: 'This is the ultimate all-round sporting award.
“This is just… wow. It hasn't been the easiest journey. I wouldn't be here without the help of so many, people who have stood by me through the not so great times. I've done more than I ever could have imagined.'
Earps played every minute in England's run to the World Cup final, conceding just four times. She could hardly have done more to tip the balance of the final, which ultimately ended with a narrow defeat to Spain, in England's favour.
The 30-year-old only conceded four goals during the tournament and kept three clean sheets to ultimately claim the Golden Glove award.