FA plunged into racism blackmail scandal: Eni Aluko accuses chief of asking her to sign statement saying they are NOT racist in return for pay-out... moments after they apologise for Mark Sampson storm

  • Eni Aluko and Drew Spence receive an apology from the Football Association
  • Fresh evidence supported claims they had been discriminated against 
  • FA say it is 'regrettable' Aluko did not take part in the initial inquiry 
  • Independent barrister Katharine Newton recommended that Sampson should have been sent on a racial awareness course 
  • Aluko's new evidence reveals FA chief executive Martin Glenn offered Aluko £80,000 to sign a statement saying there was no racism  
  • But at DCMS Committee, Aluko said this was 'bordering on blackmail' 
  • Asked whether the payment would be made, Glenn said: 'We'll reflect on it' 
  • The Committee also heard that Sampson received nine months' salary as a pay-off and is considering a wrongful dismissal claim 

'Shambolic' Football Association chiefs faced demands to resign on Wednesday night after being forced into a humiliating apology over racist comments by the former England women's boss Mark Sampson.

On an extraordinary day when the FA's credibility was shot to pieces at a parliamentary hearing in Westminster, the Chelsea and England striker Eniola Aluko made a series of stunning revelations.

  • She accused the FA of 'appalling' behaviour 'bordering on blackmail'.
  • She claimed FA chief executive Martin Glenn told her the release of a £40,000 settlement was dependent on her writing a favourable statement clearing the FA of institutional racism. He denied asking her to do this.
  • She alleged that a black actress was hired for a role–play exercise in a bid to show other England team-mates how selfish and difficult players could disrupt the squad.
  • She claimed England goalkeeping coach Lee Kendall had spoken to her in a Caribbean accent.


Aluko told MPs that Martin Glenn withheld £40,000 until she signed a statement 

Eniola Aluko speaks to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday

FA chief executive Martin Glenn has issued an apology to Aluko and Drew Spence

FA chief executive Martin Glenn has issued an apology to Aluko and Drew Spence

 

Aluko pictured with former England women's manager Mark Sampson at an event in 2015

ALUKO V THE FA AT WESTMINSTER...  

'I feel vindicated and relieved. Although I'm grateful to be here today, does it have to come to this? There's been an agenda to protect Mark Sampson, and an agenda to protect the FA's reputation.' Eni Aluko responds to the conclusions of an investigation by independent barrister Katharine Newton.

'Martin Glenn said if I wrote a statement he would release the second tranche of the money. I felt that was bordering on blackmail. I categorically refused to write it. For Martin Glenn to say I should say that to get a payment I was contractually agreed to is appalling.' Aluko claimed part of an FA payment was conditional on her putting out a statement saying the FA was not institutionally racist.

 

'On August 30 Eniola tweeted: "At least we now know the FA's stance on derogatory racial remarks by an England manager. Ignore, deny, endorse. In that order." We took legal advice on that and the advice we received was that was a clear breach of the agreement we had both entered into.' Chief executive Martin Glenn denies asking Aluko to write such a statement.

'I believe we have handled this with decency and openness. We took Eni's concerns seriously. We regret that the two comments, the inappropriate banter, was made, but the spirit in which we approached the concerns has been good.' Glenn defends the FA's handling of the affair.

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MP Damian Collins said the credibility of Glenn and FA chairman Greg Clarke was in question after two hours of evidence in which the pair failed four times to admit they had let down whistleblower Aluko. 

They refused to say that they would honour a full £80,000 pay-out agreed with her and described the idea of 'institutional racism' at the FA as 'fluff'.

Collins, whose select committee also grilled FA technical director Dan Ashworth and HR director Rachel Brace, said: 'You have to question whether they are the right people to take the organisation forward. I think they need to look very carefully at the evidence that has been given today.'

Committee member Jo Stevens MP told Clarke: 'I've never heard such shambolic evidence about the governance of an organisation.'

Although Clarke apologised for his dismissive 'fluff' comment, MPs were astonished.

'It was an extraordinary thing to say,' added Collins. 'He retracted it [but] it was such an extraordinary word to use about such serious matters.'

Clarke did apologise to Aluko and shook her hand after MPs' questioning had finished — but only after he had been encouraged to do so by Collins, who told him: 'She's behind you.'

The FA's lack of contrition was shocking, coming hours after a report in which barrister Katharine Newton concluded that Sampson, sacked last month, had twice made racially prejudiced jokes. She found, however, that he was 'not a racist'.

The former England boss had told Aluko's Chelsea team-mate Drew Spence, who is of mixed race, that she had been 'arrested four times' as players gathered for a team meeting in 2015. 

The apology was released just as former England star Aluko began speaking to the committee

The apology was released just as former England star Aluko began speaking to the committee

MPs questioned why FA chief executive Martin Glenn is still in a job despite his role in scandal

FA chief executive Martin Glenn also gave evidence to the DCMS Committee on Wednesday

FA chairman Clarke addresses the DCMS Committee last Wednesday afternoon

FA chairman Greg Clarke addresses the DCMS Committee on Wednesday afternoon

Aluko and Drew Spence were the subject of discriminatory remarks made by Mark Sampson

Aluko and Spence were the subject of discriminatory remarks by Mark Sampson

MARTIN GLENN'S STATEMENT

On behalf of The Football Association I would like to sincerely apologise to Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence.

Based on new evidence submitted to independent barrister Katharine Newton, she has now found that they were both subject to discriminatory remarks made by an FA employee. This is not acceptable.

In her final report Katharine Newton concluded that on two separate occasions Mark Sampson made ill-judged attempts at humour, which as a matter of law were discriminatory on grounds of race within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010. Katharine Newton did however conclude that Mark Sampson was not racist.

She also concluded that there was no evidence to support the allegations that Eniola Aluko was subjected to 'a course of bullying and discriminatory conduct' by Mark Sampson.

Our ambition has always been to find the truth and take swift and appropriate action if needed. It was our decision to have the original, second and final investigation to ensure that due diligence was taken. It is regrettable that Eniola did not participate in the first external investigation as this would have enabled Katharine Newton to conduct and complete her investigation sooner.

We will fully support the recommendations from the report. 

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He also suggested to Aluko that her visiting Nigerian relatives should not attend a match in case they had contracted the Ebola virus, Newton found.

Aluko intended to take the FA to an industrial tribunal, after concluding that the governing body was not taking her complaints against Sampson seriously. 

Glenn then sanctioned the £80,000 settlement, to be paid in two instalments to ensure that the player did not say anything derogatory about the FA while working as a Channel 4 analyst at last summer's European Championship.

The second payment was withheld after Aluko sent out a negative tweet about the FA in August, stating: 'At least we now know the FA's stance on derogatory racial remarks by an England manager. Ignore, deny, endorse. In that order.'

Glenn was asked three times by MPs if she would now be paid but he refused to guarantee it.

Collins said: 'I'm staggered that the issue still remains over money. I hope that is something they resolve very quickly. I find it [the lack of apology] extraordinary. I think he [Glenn] should have apologised for what were clear failings.'

But Clarke hit back at the FA's critics, insisting that the governing body could only be faulted for taking too long to investigate Aluko's claims.

His bizarre testimony included him claiming that the Professional Footballers' Association — which has represented Aluko — has refused to continue funding counselling sessions for a victim of abuse, while paying 'millions' in salary to its own boss Gordon Taylor.  

Sampson was cleared of being racist by an independent investigation set up by the FA

Sampson was cleared of being racist by an independent investigation set up by the FA

Spence met with barrister Katharine Newton to corroborate her story about Sampson

Spence met with barrister Katharine Newton to corroborate her story about Sampson

Aluko is brought to tears during an interview with the BBC about her experiences

Aluko is brought to tears during an interview with the BBC about her experiences

Clarke said: 'I met a number of safeguarding survivors. One told me: "The PFA won't pay for counselling".'

Taylor hit back on Wednesday night, insisting: 'To say we turned an abused player away is wrong. We've never turned anybody away, whether with problems of abuse, gambling or addiction. 

'It might have been said in Parliament, but it's blatantly untrue. Why on earth could he [Clarke] not raise it with me. It's classic diversionary tactics.' 

Former England striker Ian Wright said that while he would 'jump at the chance' to be involved in an anti-discrimination committee he could not work for the FA in its present form.

He told BBC 5 Live: 'No way on this earth am I going into this FA under the current climate. I'll get accused of being an Uncle Tom, I'll be the black guy they've put up. "Ian likes this". 

'I'd listen to them but I'd need to hear the right things. I'm not going in there to whitewash anything. If I don't feel anything's right, I'm going public. Bang. Then people say, "Ian Wright, he's a troublemaker".'

England star Lianne Sanderson gives evidence to the DCMS Committee

Lianne Sanderson gives evidence to the DCMS Committee on Wednesday afternoon

 

BLACK ACTRESS USED FOR ROLE-PLAY 

A black actress was hired to demonstrate Eni Aluko's 'bad behaviour' as the England women's team had lessons in 'Lioness standards' last year, it was claimed on Wednesday.

Aluko alleged management firm Lane 4, run by Olympic gold medallist Adrian Moorhouse, paid actors to perform role plays aimed at showing her 'negative influence'.

The Chelsea striker said this was 'further evidence of bullying' and made some England players 'feel uncomfortable'.

In her written evidence submitted to the parliamentary select committee, Aluko added: 'I am concerned that current England players have been encouraged and influenced to believe that I was a negative influence on the team.

'I understand that Lane 4 hired a group of actors sometime last year after I was dropped from the England team, the purpose of which was ostensibly to role-play "Lioness standards".

'One of the actresses was a black woman and that the pre-planned first role-play of the exercise involved this actress acting out bad behaviour and a selfish attitude.'

Sampson was sacked as England manager over a safeguarding issue

Sampson was sacked as England manager over a safeguarding issue

 

SACKED SAMPSON COULD SUE

Mark Sampson, the former England women's manager, received nine months' salary — between £75,000 and £110,000 — when sacked by the FA last month.

The Welshman, 35 on Wednesday, is considering a claim of wrongful dismissal after being sacked with two years left on his £100,000-£150,000-a-year deal. 

Sampson was fired after what the FA called 'inappropriate' relationships with players at his former club, Bristol Academy, which Sportsmail understands related to a six-month affair with a female player, though he was cleared by two inquiries into accusations of racism. 

A final report, released on Wednesday, concluded he was not racist, but twice made 'ill-judged attempts at humour' towards his England players.

Rachel Brace, HR director at the FA, told MPs that Sampson was paid nine months' salary after being sacked. 

Chief executive Martin Glenn said Sampson's lawyers have told the FA their client is still considering a wrongful dismissal claim.

Aluko's claims of racist discrimination relate to a comment made by Sampson in 2014

Aluko's claims of racist discrimination relate to a comment made by Sampson in 2014

HOW THE STORY HAS EVOLVED 

August 6: Sportsmail reveals that the Football Association paid hush money to Eni Aluko to keep quiet over an investigation into her claims of racism and bullying against Mark Sampson.

August 8: Aluko speaks out and says she was silenced after making her claims. 

August 18: Sampson says he needs to communicate better after FA release summery of report into Aluko's allegations. 

August 21: Aluko claims Sampson once told her to make sure her Nigerian relatives did not bring Ebola to a match at Wembley. 

August 23: Lianne Sanderson accuses Sampson and the FA of creating a culture of fear by axing players who dare to raise issues. 

August 25: England boss Gareth Southgate gives his backing to Sampson. 

August 25: Drew Spence is revealed as the player involved in Aluko's allegations about a comment made at the 2015 China Cup. 

August 30: Aluko says she is 'embarrassed and ashamed to be a participant of women's football in this country' after accusing FA of endorsing racism. 

September 5: Sampson rejects Aluko's allegations in his first TV interview since the claims were revealed by Sportsmail

September 8: England midfielder Katie Chapman claims she was dropped after telling Sampson about her divorce. 

September 11: FA officials will face grilling by MPs over the situation, it is announced.

September 14: It emerges that the FA could re-open their investigation after Spence writes to officials, corroborating Aluko's claim. 

September 16: It is revealed that Alex Scott was not interviewed during investigation into the allegations. 

September 20: Sampson leaves his role. 

October 18: FA apologise to Aluko and Spence. 

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