21 Sep 2017

England women's football coach sacked

7:24 am on 21 September 2017

England has sacked the women's national team soccer head coach Mark Sampson as a consequence of "inappropriate and unacceptable" behaviour in a previous position.

Mark Sampson

Mark Sampson Photo: Photosport

The Football Association (FA) said Sampson's contract had been terminated with immediate effect but the decision was not linked to allegations of discriminatory remarks to one of his England players.

The 34-year-old Sampson, whose side beat Russia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, has been accused of discrimination by Chelsea striker Eniola Aluko.

Sampson, who took charge of the England team in 2013 after working with Bristol Academy, strongly denies the discrimination allegations and has been cleared of wrongdoing by two separate investigations.

The FA said it stood by the findings of the independent investigation, but other evidence had emerged.

"In 2014, safeguarding allegations were made against him about his time with Bristol Academy," the FA said. "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 a termination of Sampson's contract."

-Reuters