Sampson vows to 'improve communication' after Aluko row

Mark Sampson, the manager of the England women's football team, has been cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation prompted by allegations from former player Eniola Aluko.

She made a complaint about "bullying and harassment", and also claimed that Sampson had made a racial remark to a mixed-race player.

Despite being cleared after an FA investigation, Sampson says he is "looking to improve" his "general communication style", reports the BBC.

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"The England's women's team, who reached the semi-final of this summer's European championships, have been plunged into controversy since it emerged that 102-cap forward Aluko was paid up to £80,000 to drop a complaint over Sampson using what she said was a remark with 'derogatory, racial and prejudicial connotations'," says the Daily Telegraph. Aluko, 30, the top goalscorer in last season's Women's Super League was not part of the squad for this summer’s Euros.

"The Football Association commissioned an independent inquiry into Sampson's behaviour led by the barrister Katherine Newton who found no wrongdoing on the part of the England coach."

The Guardian reports that Newton watched a video of the meeting in which Sampson was alleged to have made the remark, but there was no evidence of a racial remark.

Aluko was not at the meeting in question, but was approached by the player afterwards.

The Guardian adds: "The player in question is not understood to have been interviewed as part of the inquiry or by an internal FA review that also cleared Sampson."

"The FA followed up the inquiry by paying Aluko about £80,000 as part of an agreement and awarding her a central contract, worth another £20,000, even though she had made it clear she would not play for England again while Sampson was in charge.

"The explanation for the agreement was that the FA wanted to "avoid disruption" before this summer's Euro 2017 tournament. Aluko's lawyers believe that the agreement prevents her from speaking about the case but the FA insists she is now free to talk."