Mark Sampson: Former England Women manager charged with alleged racist abuse by FA

Sampson is alleged to have made a racially discriminatory comment to a former member of the Stevenage coaching staff

Former England Women manager Mark Sampson has been charged with an “aggravated breach” of conduct by the Football Association.

Sampson is currently the caretaker manager at Stevenage and is alleged to have made a racially discriminatory comment to a former member of the coaching staff. An aggravated breach constitutes abuse or insulting behaviour that references “ethnic origin and/or colour and/race and/or nationality”.

Sampson was previously found to have made unacceptable “ill-judged attempts at humour” on two occasions to Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence during his time as England manager by an independent barrister.

The 37-year-old “apologised unreservedly” for not playing “a much more active role” to ensure the pair’s complaints “were handled more respectfully”.

An FA statement read: “Mark Sampson has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.

“It is alleged that a comment made by the Stevenage FC caretaker manager breached FA Rule E3(1) as it was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting.

“It is further alleged that the comment also constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as it referenced ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality.

“He has until 6 December 2019 to provide a response to the charge.”

Stevenage previously claimed the allegations made by a sacked member of staff “have no foundation” after their internal investigation reached a conclusion.

Mark Sampson is currently caretake manager at Stevenage (Getty)

A statement by the club said they were aware of the allegations “phoned into the FA by a former coach the day after he was told by Sampson that he no longer required his services at the club”.

“The claimant was offered the chance to make a formal complaint but declined this opportunity, instead choosing to call the FA,” said Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace.

“Nevertheless, CEO Alex Tunbridge acted immediately to interview and take statements from two individuals the claimant said were witnesses, as well as others that were present in the same meeting, but not mentioned by the claimant.

“In each case the witnesses did not support the allegations. Given that overwhelming outcome and the circumstances of the allegation, the club concluded there was no case to answer.”