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Women in Football (WiF) are deeply concerned by the revelations surrounding Mark Sampson’s employment as England manager.

WiF understands that questions over Sampson’s suitability for the role were flagged to the FA as early as 2013 during the recruitment process. The safeguarding investigation of 2014, Sampson being sent on an education course in 2015, Eniola Aluko’s complaint in 2016 and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson’s Duty of Care report published in April 2017 were all missed opportunities for the governing body to more closely examine the issues.

Indeed it is unfathomable that an England manager could be sent on a course to emphasise the appropriate boundaries between coach and player, as a direct result of a safeguarding investigation, and not be subject to any sort of due diligence.  

WiF routinely receive complaints of discrimination and abuse from women working in football. We rely on the governing body’s ability to properly investigate these issues in a transparent and competent manner.

The allegations from Eniola Aluko and subsequent failings in the investigation into her complaints, alongside these most recent safeguarding concerns, suggest an incoherent approach to ensuring football is a safe place for all. 

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