I’LL COMMUNICATE BETTER, SAYS WOMEN’S BOSS
MARK SAMPSON last night promised to improve his communication skills as manager of the England women’s team. It followed the release by the Football Association of a summary of an independent report into serious allegations against him. Following Sportsmail’s revelations last week that the FA paid Chelsea star Eni Aluko £80,000 (£40,000 on top of her England contract) to keep quiet about bullying and harassment claims against Sampson, it emerged on Wednesday that the forward also made allegations that he made a remark with ‘racial and prejudicial connotations’ to another player. The FA found no wrongdoing on their or Sampson’s part after it was investigated independently by a barrister. Sampson said last night: ‘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 taken on board and looked to improve.’ Yesterday, the FA released the 15-page letter that barrister Katherine Newton sent to Aluko. Newton insisted she could find no evidence that the ‘racial’ comment had been made. After mainly citing evidence from Sampson, Newton concluded: ‘I do not consider that Mark Sampson has held a longstanding negative bias against you based on negative racial stereotypes. Nor do I consider he subjected you to a course of bullying and belittling behaviour.’