ENGLAND WOMEN’S BOSS Mark Sampson has been sacked.
But the Football Association has given Sampson the boot not because of the controversial Eni Aluko case but because of “clear evidence of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by a coach” while he was working at Bristol’s Women’s Super League club.
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FA chief executive Martin Glenn said Sampson had “overstepped the professional boundaries between player and coach”.
But Glenn would not give further details beyond saying there was no allegation of the law being broken.
The anonymous claims against Sampson were made in March 2014, three months after he left Bristol Academy WFC to become boss of the Lionesses.
A safeguarding investigation decided Sampson posed no risk and he was cleared to go on working in football in March 2015.
But in the wake of Aluko’s claims of racism and bullying, people outside the FA advised the governing body to look again at the full report into the Bristol case.
And when Glenn and chairman Greg Clarke were made aware of its contents last week, they acted swiftly and Glenn told Sampson he was out yesterday afternoon – just hours after he had watched his team beat Russia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier.
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Glenn said: “We were both deeply concerned with the contents of the report. Let’s be really clear: no laws were broken.
“Greg and I are not able to challenge the professional views of our safeguarding experts. We thought the conduct issues raised in the report were what the problem was.
“We judge it is not right for any FA employee with having conduct like that behind them.”
Sampson denied Aluko’s allegations and was cleared by an internal FA probe and an independent investigation of any wrongdoing.
The FA was last night standing by those findings, but added: “We will continue to support the independent investigation as it reviews the recent evidence presented to it and publish any new findings and recommendations.”
THE ROCKY ROAD THAT LED TO MARK SAMPSON'S DISMISSAL
September 2009: Sampson joins Bristol Academy WFC, starting as centre of excellence director for 10 to 16 years olds, then taking charge of the College 16-19 programme before being promoted to boss of the senior team.
December 2013: Sampson appointed as manager of the England women’s senior team by FA team led by Si Trevor Brooking..
March 2014: Anonymous allegations are made about Sampson’s behaviour while at Bristol Academy – now Bristol City Women’s FC – prompting a safeguarding investigation.
March 2015: After a year-long probe, an independent three-person panel rules Sampson poses no risk but recommends he goes on a development and mentoring programme.
May 2015: Martin Glenn starts work as FA chief executive.
October 2015: Glenn is informed Sampson has completed the training programme.
August 2017: Details emerge of Eni Aluko’s complaints of bullying and racism against Sampson, of which he was cleared by both an internal FA probe and an independent investigation..
September 13 2017: Sources outside the FA advise the Human Resources department to look again at report into the Bristol case and it is passed to Glenn. He and chairman Greg Clarke agree Sampson has to go.
Monday September 18: The FA Board, having met over the weekend, vote unaninmously to sack Sampson.
Tuesday September 19: Sampson is on the touchline as the Lionesses beat Russia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Tranmere’s Prenton Park.
Wednesday September 20: Glenn tells Sampson his contract has been terminated with immediate effect.
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