FA dismisses Sampson racism charge
A racism charge against Mark Sampson, the former manager of the England’s women team, has been dismissed after the allegations were found not proven at a Football Association hearing.
Sampson was charged by the FA in November after a complaint from former Stevenage manager Dino Maamria and coach Ali Uzunhasanoglu, who claimed he advised against signing a Nigerian centreback because “you can’t trust them”.
The allegations were made after Sampson, who had been first-team coach under Maamria, was appointed caretaker manager following Maamria’s dismissal in
September. The charge was dismissed after Sampson had requested a personal hearing, with the FA commission deciding the evidence presented against him by Maamria and Uzunhasanoglu was unreliable.
“I am pleased the findings concur with our own internal investigation,” said Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace.
Sampson has told The Daily Telegraph he had always denied making the comments and “hoped to be able to move on” with his life as he tries to avoid relegation with Stevenage, where he is now a coach.
The case centred on a meeting between coaching staff when, while discussing transfer targets, it was alleged that Sampson was heard to say: “You can’t have a black Nigerian centre-back, you can’t rely on them.” The independent commission heard the alleged incident was not reported to the club or the FA by Uzunhasanoglu until more than a week after the meeting, and after both he and Maamria had left.