Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has criticised the way mistakes made by female goalkeepers are highlighted in the media, saying errors often receive more attention than outstanding performances.
The shot-stopper made the comments after winning the Women’s Super League Golden Glove award for the second consecutive season with Chelsea Women.
Hampton argued that women goalkeepers are subjected to intense scrutiny, while their achievements and impressive displays are rarely celebrated with the same energy.
“Women’s goalkeepers always get scrutiny, but when we do something right, there is not enough celebrating or acknowledgement of that,” Hampton said during the WSL awards ceremony.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed an impressive year both for club and country, helping England retain the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 title after producing crucial penalty saves during the tournament.
Her performances also earned her global recognition as she was later named the world’s best female goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or awards.
Despite her recent success, Hampton said media organisations often focus more on errors than on the progress and quality of women’s goalkeeping.
“The media have a big impact. If a goalkeeper makes a mistake, all of a sudden, they are the first people to put video clips out there and tarnish the reputation of women’s goalkeeping,” she said.
“Why put someone down when we’re trying to put women’s football on the map where it deserves to be? We have to champion each other’s successes,” Hampton added.
The Chelsea goalkeeper admitted that criticism can be difficult to handle, especially given the pressure attached to the role.
Hampton’s career has not been without challenges. In 2022, she was dropped from the England squad shortly after the team’s European Championship success amid reports linked to behavioural concerns.
She later returned to the national team in March 2023 after England coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed that issues surrounding her situation had been resolved.
Reflecting on that period, Hampton revealed that the criticism affected her deeply and even pushed her to consider quitting football entirely.
The goalkeeper also recently faced criticism from former England number one Mary Earps, who claimed in her autobiography that she had advised Wiegman against recalling Hampton due to concerns about reliability and behaviour.
However, Hampton insisted that goalkeepers understand the unique mental pressure attached to the position more than anyone else.
“I think goalkeepers hold a unique pressure that really only goalkeepers truly understand. When I see other goalkeepers making worldie saves, it pushes me and drives me,” she said.
She also praised Charlton Athletic Women goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse, saying her performances this season deserve greater recognition ahead of Charlton’s promotion play-off clash against Leicester City.
According to Hampton, women’s football can only continue growing when players, media organisations and supporters focus more on celebrating success rather than constantly amplifying mistakes.
