I’m still being gagged by FA, insists Aluko

CHELSEA star Eni Aluko insisted yesterday that she has been silenced by the FA over her bullying and harassment case against England women’s manager Mark Sampson — despite the governing body denying it.

The Daily Mail revealed on Monday how the FA handed Aluko hush money to sign a confidentiality agreement. The terms prevented her discussing an email, sent to technical director Dan Ashworth and head of performance Dave Reddin, and seen by Sportsmail, in which she alleged sustained bullying by Sampson and his staff for more than two years.

The FA claimed that they reached an agreement to avoid disruption to the national team in the build-up to the European Championship. But Aluko insists she is still gagged by the governing body.

‘A financial settlement was reached, but this still remains confidential,’ she said. Aluko, 30, was top scorer in the Women’s Super League last season but has not played for England since April after saying she no longer wanted to be considered for selection with Sampson in charge.

After her complaint in May last year, the FA launched an independent investigation, which found no wrongdoing. However, after the investigation was concluded in March this year, the FA paid Aluko to keep quiet.

Aluko also alleges that she was not the only one to suffer mistreatment at the hands of Sampson.

The forward was paid an extra £40,000 on top of her central contract salary. The FA agree central contracts with a pool of players considered part of the national side, yet offered Aluko one despite her saying she would not play under Sampson.

Aluko added: ‘ I have not and did not quit the England team and remain a centrally contracted England player.’