SAMPSON ‘ATTACKED OFFICIAL’

MARK SAMPSON was being investigated for intimidating a female UEFA official with a metal pole before he was sacked as the manager of England’s women. The incident occurred after England had been knocked out in the semi-finals of Euro 2017, losing 3-0 to Holland. It involved Sampson, who was jettisoned by the FA for a separate case of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour in a previous role, also using foul and abusive language. Sampson (right) was handed a three-match ban by UEFA following his sacking in October. Documents published on the UEFA website graphically explained how the 35-year-old told the venue director in the 60th minute of the semi-final on August 3: ‘You’d better sit down, you little s***!’ The UEFA report continues: ‘After the game,

the referee liaison officer was standing outside the referee changing room when (Sampson) shouted aggressively at her: “You’re a f****** disgrace, it’s a f****** shame”. He then picked up a metal pillar, raising it above his head aggressively before throwing it down hard against the floor, shutting the door to the corridor and saying: “I’m going to close the f****** door in your f****** face”.’ Sampson’s reputation has been in tatters since the Eni Aluko affair. The FA refused to comment on the incident last night. They did not offer guidance on whether they were aware of Sampson’s behaviour on the night of the Holland defeat. UEFA said the FA had accepted the charges and that Sampson had apologised. After a turbulent 12 months for England’s women, there was good news yesterday when the FIFA rankings showed that England have risen to second in the world behind the United States. Phil Neville, who succeeded Sampson in January, is hoping the squad can build on promising performances at the She Believes Cup when they face Wales in a World Cup qualifier next month.