England women’s footballer accuses head coach of racism

England women’s football star Eniola Aluko yesterday claimed she was subjected to a ‘racist’ jibe about the ebola virus from the head coach.

The 30-year-old striker alleged she was ‘intimidated and shocked’ by the comments from Mark Sampson about her family in Nigeria contracting the killer disease.

The shocking claim follows her allegations that she was bullied by Sampson and that he made a remark with ‘racial connotations’ to another mixed-race player. Mr Sampson and the Football Association have always vehemently denied Miss Aluko’s accusations.

But questions arose last week about why she received an £80,000 settlement by the FA after making the claims.

Yesterday, Miss Aluko further alleged she had been subjected to a ‘racist comment’ by the England coach before a match against Germany in 2014.

‘I found myself next to Mark Sampson and he asked me which family members were coming,’ she told the BBC. ‘I said, “I’ve got family coming in from Nigeria.” And he said, “Make sure they don’t come over with ebola.” I laughed because I was in shock. I didn’t know what to say.

‘I’m used to industrial language, used to a bit of banter, a bit of a joke – but that was about my family. I believe it was said to me because I am of African descent and my family is coming over from Nigeria at the time.

‘I believe it was an unfavourable comment made to me that made me feel completely shocked and intimidated that was said to me because I’m of African descent.’

Miss Aluko said she did not include the allegation in her formal complaint because she could not prove it. However, she insists the FA was subsequently made aware of the claim. Mr Sampson strongly denies saying this, the BBC reported.

The FA said that, had the claim been raised as a formal allegation, it would have been investigated with the same level of independent scrutiny as others.

The England veteran said she has been ‘victimised’ for speaking out against discrimination.

Miss Aluko said she did not include the allegation in her formal complaint because she could not prove it. However, she insists the FA was subsequently made aware of the claim. Mr Sampson strongly denies saying this, the BBC reported

‘If anybody, God forbid, was going through something difficult in the team right now, would they speak out? Judging on what’s happened to me over the last few weeks, I don’t think they would.’ Miss Aluko won 102 caps and scored 33 goals for her country and was the first women’s player to appear as a pundit on Match of the Day.

She first made her bullying complaint in May 2016, but was dropped from the squad soon afterwards and was not part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Championship this summer.

A three-month independent investigation did not uphold any of her complaints and both Mr Sampson and the FA were cleared

A three-month independent investigation did not uphold any of her complaints and both Mr Sampson and the FA were cleared. In statement released via the FA last week, Mr Sampson said that he understood the need for an internal review.

He added: ‘It’s incredibly important that matters like this are taken extremely seriously and investigated in the right way – with the right level of sensitivity and support for all involved.

‘The barrister’s final report said there was no case to answer and noted that my approach to all players is the same regardless of their background. I also appreciated that the report highlighted areas where I could improve my general communication style, and that is something I have.’

The FA said Miss Aluko did not co-operate with the three month investigation. However, during her BBC interview she claimed the review had already left out witnesses. She said: ‘I couldn’t take it seriously. I knew they hadn’t spoken to key people.’

Miss Aluko is also a sport and entertainment lawyer, previously juggling her legal career with the game before committing to football full-time two years ago.

Her younger brother Sone plays for Fulham FC.