- Revealed: The real reason why the FA sacked Mark Sampson as England boss
- It is understood that he had a relationship with a player at Bristol Academy
- Sampson and the 18-year-old are believed to have been together for six months
- His dismissal was discussed in full at an FA board meeting on Monday
England women’s coach Mark Sampson was sacked for having a relationship with one of his players while at Bristol Academy, it emerged on Monday.
Insiders with knowledge of Sampson’s time at Bristol report that the woman involved was over 18 and the pair were together for six months.
She is understood to have no problems about her involvement with Sampson and does not want to talk about it.
Mark Sampson was sacked by the FA as manager of England’s women’s team last week
The FA safeguarding report that led to the dismissal of Sampson last week also referred to his ‘over-socialising’ with Bristol’s players.
This information emerged on the day that the FA board gave their backing to beleaguered chief executive Martin Glenn after a meeting in which the Sampson controversy was top of the agenda.
An FA statement released after the meeting pointed the finger at ‘historic processes’ and no heads are expected to roll unless more damning revelations emerge.
It is understood Sampson (left) had a relationship with one of his players at Bristol Academy
There has been unanimous support for FA chief executive Martin Glenn to carry on in his role
Glenn and chairman Greg Clarke, who wholly supported his chief executive’s belief that Sampson had to go after reading the safeguarding report, were even praised for bringing about ‘substantial positive change’ during their leadership.
Glenn received unanimous support to remain in charge, though it was recognised that it was a major mistake for him not to read the report on Sampson’s time at Bristol when it was first flagged up to him in October 2015.
FA technical director Dan Ashworth, who extended Sampson’s contract in 2016 having known about the investigation, did not feature much in the discussions.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that England player Eni Aluko will give evidence to the Parliamentary select committee on sports governance on October 18. Aluko made racism and bullying accusations against Sampson, although two investigations did not support her complaints.
Glenn was one of the key figures to come to the conclusion that Sampson should be sacked
It has also been confirmed Eni Aluko will give evidence to the DCMS sport select committee