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Mark Sampson has been sacked as England women's manager following evidence of "inappropriate and unacceptable" behaviour with female players in a previous role.

The Football Association says that last week it was made aware of the full details of safeguarding allegations made against Sampson in 2014 relating to his time as Bristol Academy manager.

A 2015 FA assessment found Sampson did not pose a risk.

Sampson was also cleared this year of wrongdoing following discrimination allegations made by England players, including Chelsea and Nigerian born England striker Eniola Aluko.

The 34-year-old Welshman became England head coach in December 2013 after leaving top-flight side Bristol Academy, now renamed Bristol City Women.

The FA statement said: "The full report of that [2014] investigation was only brought to the attention of the current FA leadership last week.

"It is our judgement that it revealed clear evidence of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by a coach. It is on this basis that we have acted quickly to agree a termination of Mark's contract."

Women In Sport, a rights advocacy group for equal opportunities for women in sports, announced Sampson had been removed as patron of the charity following the FA decision.

The English FA chief executive Martin Glenn has insisted Sampson’s sack was unconnected with Eniola’s discrimination allegation.

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