Ex-England Women manager Mark Sampson charged for 'not wanting to sign a Nigerian footballer because he's 'black'

Former England Women manager and Stevenage caretaker, Mark Sampson has been charged with an aggravated breach of FA rules over an alleged racially discriminatory comment.

Back in September, the FA opened an investigation after receiving a complaint about a comment made during a conversation about possible transfer targets.

It was claimed that when the name of a centre-half was mentioned as a possible signing, Sampson allegedly responded that the club should not recruit him because he was Nigerian.

The alleged incident is understood to have occurred on transfer deadline day on 2 September during a discussion amongst Stevenage’s coaching staff about potential transfer targets.

But Sampson denied the allegations saying: ‘The allegation is untrue and there are four independent witnesses who can confirm that’s the case.’

In a statement by FA today, the football body said: ‘It is alleged that a comment made by the Stevenage FC caretaker manager breached FA Rule E3(1) as it was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting.

‘It is further alleged that the comment also constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as it referenced ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality.

‘He has until 6 December 2019 to provide a response to the charge.’

The accusation wasn’t his first. In 2017, Eniola Aluko, who is the elder sister of Nigeria striker Sone Aluko, accused him of subjecting herself and her Nigerian family to a ‘racist’ jibe about the ebola virus.

Eni claimed Sampson told her to ensure her Nigerian relatives did not bring the Ebola virus to London ahead of England’s friendly against Germany at Wembley in 2014.

In 2018, he was sacked by the FA after they found ‘clear evidence of inappropriate relationships the Welshman had with female players while he was the manager of Bristol Academy.