England Women’s manager Mark Sampson has been sacked due to “clear evidence of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by a coach”.
The England Football Association said the “termination” of the 34-year-old’s contract relates to his time as manager of Bristol Academy.
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It continued that the 34-year-old’s dismissal had nothing to do with allegations of discrimination made against Sampson by former England striker Eni Aluko.
The FA said it had sacked Sampson because: “In 2014, safeguarding allegations were made against him [Sampson] about his time with Bristol.
“The safeguarding assessment was that he did not pose a risk working in the game.
“However, the full report of that investigation was only brought to the attention of the current FA leadership last week and it is our judgement that it revealed clear evidence of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by a coach.
“It is on this basis that we have acted quickly to agree on a termination of Mark’s contract.”
The statement goes on to say that “in respect of investigations into specific allegations made by Eni Aluko in 2016, The FA stands by the findings of the independent barrister Katherine Newton’s investigation.
“Mark Sampson has denied all of the accusations put to him and no evidence of wrong-doing was found.
“We will continue to support the independent investigation as it reviews the recent evidence presented to it and publish any new findings and recommendations.”
Sampson’s sacking comes just weeks after allegations made by former England striker Eni Aluko against her former manager came to light.
Aluko accused Sampson of making remarks prior to ending her international career for “unlioness behaviour”.
The 30-year-old said that before an England match in 2014 she told Sampson she had family coming from Nigeria to watch, to which is reported to have replied: “Well make sure they don’t come over with Ebola.”
Aluko also alleged that Sampson made a remark towards another player with “racial and prejudicial connotations”, claiming that he asked a player how many times she had been arrested.
Aluko’s allegations of racism, harassment and bullying sparked an investigation into Sampson’s alleged conduct, but the Football Association and an independent investigation both cleared the 34-year-old.
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