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FA urged to publish full findings of Mark Sampson 'racial' remark probe

The Football Association is facing growing pressure to disclose details of the investigation into former England Women striker Eni Aluko's claim that a teammate faced a "racial and prejudicial" remark from coach Mark Sampson.

Leading anti-racism campaign Piara Powar said "bigger questions" are being raised for the FA to answer as details of the case emerge through the media.

Sampson was exonerated after an independent inquiry, commissioned by the FA and conducted by barrister Katharine Newton, found there had been "no wrong-doing."

Striker Aluko, 30, won 102 caps and scored 33 goals for England before falling out of favour last year.

She alleged, in claims submitted to the FA last year and reported by The Guardian, that Sampson asked a member of England's squad, reportedly of mixed race and with a London background, whether she had been arrested before. The player in question has not been named.

Aluko, who is a qualified lawyer, claimed the comments had "derogatory, racial and prejudicial connotations."

Powar speaks for the Fare Network, an international body tackling discrimination and developing social inclusion initiatives.

He said in response to the allegations raised by Aluko: "The message has been repeated over and again, any type of racial or discriminatory abuse, or decision-making based on anything other than merit, should not have a place in Britain in 2017, and certainly not within a national women's football squad.

"The FA has done the right thing in commissioning an independent investigation. However, the more revelations that emerge publicly the bigger the questions become.

"As I see it Eniola Aluko is a leader and an individual of principle. She did the correct thing in raising her concerns. One of the questions I have is why a player raising legitimate issues has found her England career effectively ended and her voice gagged."

Sampson is the manager who led England to the World Cup semifinals in 2015 and to the same stage at this summer's European Championship.

The FA said in a statement, released when first details of the case emerged, that the investigation's report "did not uphold any of Eniola Aluko's complaints and found no wrong-doing on behalf of the FA or others."

Aluko, whose brother is the Fulham striker Sone Aluko, scored 33 international goals during her England career. Her last appearance for England came against Bosnia and Herzegovina in April 2016. She plays for Chelsea Ladies at club level and was last year's top scorer in the Women's Super League.