The FA has apologised to two players after new evidence showed sacked England’s women’s boss Mark Sampson made remarks which were “discriminatory on the grounds of race”.
An independent barrister ruled Sampson made unacceptable “ill-judged attempts at humour” on two occasions, to Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence.
Katharine Newton said despite this, she did not believe he is racist.
She also concluded Aluko was not subjected to “a course of bullying”.
Newton’s initial report had cleared Sampson, but the new evidence led to her investigation being resumed.
And a report of the reopened investigation was released as FA bosses and Aluko faced a parliamentary inquiry on Wednesday.
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In a statement, FA chief executive Glenn said: “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.”
Sampson was sacked as England women’s boss last month after evidence of “inappropriate and unacceptable” behaviour with female players in a previous role.
He had earlier been cleared of wrongdoing by an internal inquiry, and Newton’s initial report, following discrimination allegations made by England players, including Chelsea striker Aluko.
Sampson, 35, has said his conscience was clear, and denied being a racist.
‘Bordering on blackmail’ – Key points from hearing
- Aluko said she had not received payment of an £80,000 settlement fee in full from the FA.
- “[FA chief executive] Martin Glenn said if I wrote a statement saying the FA were not institutionally racist he would release the second tranche of the money. I felt that was bordering on blackmail,” she said.
- The Chelsea striker said she had felt “isolated” during the case and reacting to the new report, added: “I’m a human being and I feel relieved. It suggests it was kind of all worth it going through the trouble and having it vindicated.”
- Aluko said she was disappointed her relationship with the FA had deteriorated: “I didn’t want it to be as adversarial as it became – the FA versus Aluko if you like.”
- The Nigerian-born forward accused England goalkeeping coach Lee Kendall of speaking to her in a fake Caribbean accent.
- Aluko said there had been “an agenda to protect Mark Sampson and an agenda to protect the FA’s reputation”.
