I am innocent of Aluko race claim
ENGLAND BOSS STANDS HIS GROUND
ENGLAND women’s manager Mark Sampson has denied allegations of bullying and harassment made by Eni Aluko.
Breaking his silence for the first time since Sportsmail revealed a month ago that Aluko was paid ‘hush money’ by the FA after emailing a complaint in May 2016, Sampson protested his innocence. He denied Aluko’s allegation in her initial complaint that he made a racist
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comment to her Chelsea team-mate Drew Spence at the 2015 China Cup.
Sampson is alleged to have asked how many times the mixed race midfielder had been arrested. He was cleared of wrongdoing by two investigations, but the FA then paid Aluko to keep quiet about her complaint.
‘I’ve never accused any England player of being arrested four times,’ Sampson insisted. ‘ With all my communication my intention is to support the players, to make them feel confident, to give them every chance of performing on the field. So if I’ve offended anyone with anything I’ve said of course I’m incredibly disappointed and upset but absolutely it was never my intention.’
Aluko also alleged that Sampson once told her to make sure her Nigerian relatives did not bring the Ebola virus to a match.
‘ I’ve heard the specifics of the allegation,’ Sampson said. ‘ At the time we released a statement to be very clear that I didn’t say that and I’m very disappointed that the allegation has come out. All I can say is I didn’t say that to Eni.’
Aluko, 30, also claimed that for months a member of Sampson’s staff spoke to her in a Caribbean accent. ‘There was no evidence found of that taking place,’ Sampson said. ‘It was included in the investigation so I stand by my staff.’
Sampson insists Aluko, last season’s Women’s Super League top scorer, is still under consideration for selection. He said: ‘I’ve made it very clear, from the moment I spoke with Eni to say she would be left out, that at any point I’d be available to meet again. As with any England player, I’m open to a phone call or a sit-down conversation to discuss whatever they feel they need to discuss to help us move forward as a team.’
Since Aluko’s allegations became public, former England players have suggested there is a culture at the FA of dropping players who raise issues.
‘That’s not true,’ said Sampson. ‘I’m very clear with the justification on why we’re selecting our players.’