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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/oct/18/fa-chiefs-face-parliamentary-inquiry-over-mark-sampson-investigations-live

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Eni Aluko accuses FA of actions 'bordering on blackmail' as Glenn and co grilled – latest Eni Aluko accuses FA of actions 'bordering on blackmail' as Glenn and co grilled – latest
(35 minutes later)
5.29pm BST
17:29
It is said that it is “extraordinary” that the FA’s chief executive did not read a safeguarding report into the England manager. The buck stops with Martin Glenn. “It does, it does,” says Greg Clarke. Oh!
5.29pm BST
17:29
Dan Ashworth is asked if, as Mark Sampson’s line manager, the initial safeguarding report in March 2015 should have related to his continued employment. He tries to bat it away. But he’s asked what changed between March 2015 and September 2017. “I wasn’t aware of the details of the report.”
Rachel Brace says she started as HR director in 2016 and that the information was not given to her when she got the job. She said she finally received the report last month. “When I read the report I had some concerns.”
5.24pm BST
17:24
The committee is asking Martin Glenn if Mark Sampson would have fallen foul of the FA’s current safeguarding rules. The reply is that his sacking was down to a “conduct issue”.
5.23pm BST
17:23
Knowing what you now was Mark Sampson in breach of the FA’s safeguarding rules? “The FA has a big involvement in safeguarding and the job of the safeguarding team is to judge if someone poses a risk. The issue we have had with Mark Sampson as a football participant and an FA employee.” He adds that Sampson was sacked not because he was a safeguarding risk but because he conducted behaviour not appropriate for an FA employee.
5.21pm BST
17:21
Dan Ashworth says that Mark Sampson was sacked because of “the detail” in the report rather than the alleged offence within it. He says he found out about it at the same time as Rachel Brace and Martin Glenn, adding that they had been previously been told that Sampson posed no risk.
5.19pm BST
17:19
Dan Ashworth is asked whether he was told about the allegations into Mark Sampson’s conduct at Bristol City. He says he was.
5.18pm BST
17:18
Greg Clarke admits that, outside of assessing his footballing ability, due diligence into Mark Sampson was not conducted by the FA when he got the England job. “You don’t pry into the Chinese wall of safeguarding,” he adds.
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at 5.26pm BST
5.17pm BST
17:17
Dan Ashworth says it was his job to check if Mark Sampson was good enough to manage the England football team. He adds that it was up to HR to look into referencing of Sampson and adds that he had never met Sampson before his first job interview.
5.16pm BST
17:16
Greg Clarke repeats that none of the allegations in the safeguarding report about Mark Sampson were illegal. “They crossed the boundaries in acceptable behaviour from a coach.” He says that left the FA to conclude Sampson was not suitable to manage the England women’s team. However he says safeguarding reports merely say whether he is a risk rather than if someone is an appropriate candidate for a management job.
5.13pm BST
17:13
It is put to the FA that it is staggering it sat on a safeguarding report that eventually led to an employee being dismissed. “The miss in the FA was a failure to consider some of the wider conduct issues and therefore employment issues emanating from that should have been,” Martin Glenn says. He adds that the FA is starting to take a different approach to safeguarding. He says that people within in the FA knew about the report back in 2015, but that he and Rachel Brace chose to act in September of this year when they were made aware of its contents.
5.09pm BST
17:09
Dan Ashworth is asked if Eniola Aluko was dropped from the England team because of what she said in the cultural report. “I can categorically confirm that did not happen.”
5.08pm BST
17:08
Dan Ashworth says that the only names in the cultural report were those who gave Owen Eastwood permission to use them. He says other names are redacted.
5.07pm BST
17:07
Dan Ashworth is finally asked a question. He explains the thinking behind instigating a cultural review. He brought in Owen Eastwood with the view to spreading uniformity across the board for England’s 16 teams.
5.05pm BST
17:05
Greg Clarke admits that he can’t feel good while Eniola Aluko, an 102-cap player, feels that she has not been protected by the FA. “How can I feel good?”
5.04pm BST
17:04
Dan Ashworth has not been asked any questions yet. Time’s running out.
5.02pm BST
17:02
Will the FA make the rest of the payment to Aluko? Martin Glenn: “We will reflect on it.” He’s told it’s a yes or no question. “We will reflect on it.” He denies asking Aluko to make a statement saying the FA was not institutionally racist.
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at 5.10pm BST
5.01pm BST
17:01
Martin Glenn says the FA tried to get Aluko to correct and change the wording of her tweet.
5.00pm BST
17:00
Eniola Aluko did not think her tweet was defamatory; the FA does.
4.59pm BST
16:59
Martin Glenn is asked about the agreement of the settlement the FA reached with Eniola Aluko. He says the conditions were that neither party spoke about or made defamatory comments about the other. He says that a tweet sent by Aluko on 30 August contravened the agreement.
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4.57pm BST
16:57
Given the floor, Greg Clarke tells the story of meeting a weeping former player who he claims the PFA wouldn’t help. He says he lost respect for the organisation.
FA chair Clarke on @PFA:"They are walking away from alcoholics, they are walking away from addicted gamblers" Slams PFA CEO Taylor's salary
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at 4.58pm BST
4.56pm BST
16:56
Greg Clarke says he is going be “very frank” about the PFA. He says he is pro-union. He says there are some very good executives and foot soldiers at the PFA - he references the work the FA did with the organisation about the Rooney Rule. But he says he has a number of problems with governance at the top of the PFA. It gets heated. The committee tries to stop him as this is an inquiry into the FA. But he’s given the floor...
4.54pm BST4.54pm BST
16:5416:54
Greg Clarke says that the committee should speak to Sport England about devising new governance procedures that can be shared with various national associations.Greg Clarke says that the committee should speak to Sport England about devising new governance procedures that can be shared with various national associations.
4.52pm BST4.52pm BST
16:5216:52
Greg Clarke is asked if he has considered his position. Of course not. He says the job is “career death” and that he wants to make the situation better.Greg Clarke is asked if he has considered his position. Of course not. He says the job is “career death” and that he wants to make the situation better.
4.52pm BST4.52pm BST
16:5216:52
Greg Clarke says the recruitment process has not been up to scratch in the past: “There is very little evidence of proper referencing at the time.” He says there were systemic historic failings that “have contributed to this mess. “This is not the FA’s finest hour.” But he believes the current team is making things better.Greg Clarke says the recruitment process has not been up to scratch in the past: “There is very little evidence of proper referencing at the time.” He says there were systemic historic failings that “have contributed to this mess. “This is not the FA’s finest hour.” But he believes the current team is making things better.
4.49pm BST4.49pm BST
16:4916:49
Martin Glenn says Mark Sampson’s conduct rather than his safeguarding at Bristol City was not appropriate. He says if he’d seen the original report at the time, he would have taken action sooner.Martin Glenn says Mark Sampson’s conduct rather than his safeguarding at Bristol City was not appropriate. He says if he’d seen the original report at the time, he would have taken action sooner.
4.48pm BST4.48pm BST
16:4816:48
Martin Glenn: “Mark Sampson did not break any law.”Martin Glenn: “Mark Sampson did not break any law.”
4.47pm BST4.47pm BST
16:4716:47
Martin Glenn is now being asked about safeguarding within the FA... He says investigators presented their findings to the FA in March 2017. He says there were recommendations for Mark Sampson to receive mentoring in order for him to be suitable to work in football. He says he did not hear about this until a later date.Martin Glenn is now being asked about safeguarding within the FA... He says investigators presented their findings to the FA in March 2017. He says there were recommendations for Mark Sampson to receive mentoring in order for him to be suitable to work in football. He says he did not hear about this until a later date.
4.45pm BST4.45pm BST
16:4516:45
Glenn says it was "the end of a long day and came out all wrong." He says he is willing to apologise but "it was not a pack of lies."Glenn says it was "the end of a long day and came out all wrong." He says he is willing to apologise but "it was not a pack of lies."
Damian Collins to Glenn: "You've done it (withdrawn comments re Guardian article) because if you had said that it would have been illegal."Damian Collins to Glenn: "You've done it (withdrawn comments re Guardian article) because if you had said that it would have been illegal."
4.44pm BST4.44pm BST
16:4416:44
It is being put to Martin Glenn that he is retracting his comments about the independent barrister because he realised it would have been illegal under employment law. Again he apologises if the comment came out incorrectly.It is being put to Martin Glenn that he is retracting his comments about the independent barrister because he realised it would have been illegal under employment law. Again he apologises if the comment came out incorrectly.
4.43pm BST4.43pm BST
16:4316:43
Martin Glenn: “I was pleased with the appointment of Katherine Newton.”Martin Glenn: “I was pleased with the appointment of Katherine Newton.”
FA CEO Glenn previously said he selected investigation head based on ethnicity. Now says:"It’s not a pack of lies but it’s an embellishment"FA CEO Glenn previously said he selected investigation head based on ethnicity. Now says:"It’s not a pack of lies but it’s an embellishment"
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at 4.44pm BSTat 4.44pm BST
4.43pm BST4.43pm BST
16:4316:43
Martin Glenn says he made the comment “at the end of a long day”. He apologises if it came out badly.Martin Glenn says he made the comment “at the end of a long day”. He apologises if it came out badly.
4.40pm BST4.40pm BST
16:4016:40
Martin Glenn retracts comments to the Guardian saying he deliberately wanted Newton as barrister because of sex/ethnicity (1/2)Martin Glenn retracts comments to the Guardian saying he deliberately wanted Newton as barrister because of sex/ethnicity (1/2)
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.42pm BSTat 4.42pm BST
4.39pm BST4.39pm BST
16:3916:39
Greg Clarke says his reply was not directed at Eniola Aluko but at the PFA. His responses on the issue have been bullish.Greg Clarke says his reply was not directed at Eniola Aluko but at the PFA. His responses on the issue have been bullish.
4.38pm BST4.38pm BST
16:3816:38
Greg Clarke says that his fourth reply was “abrupt”. He asks why he didn’t explain to the PFA that his hands were tied - he says he did. He is told that his response looked passive aggressive. He says seeing the evidence would restrict his governance role.Greg Clarke says that his fourth reply was “abrupt”. He asks why he didn’t explain to the PFA that his hands were tied - he says he did. He is told that his response looked passive aggressive. He says seeing the evidence would restrict his governance role.
4.36pm BST4.36pm BST
16:3616:36
Greg Clarke defending dismissive email eerily reminiscent of Seb Coe at DCMS last year. "Don't tell me," he says, putting fingers in ears.Greg Clarke defending dismissive email eerily reminiscent of Seb Coe at DCMS last year. "Don't tell me," he says, putting fingers in ears.
4.36pm BST4.36pm BST
16:3616:36
Greg Clarke says the PFA was “trying to suck him in”. But he adds that he doesn’t blame them for that. “However in a national governing body it is different.” Again he brings up the Sport England code which shows he is mandated to behave in that way. He feels he has been made to look “oafish” and he is “disappointed”. He feels the irony is that the people doing that have some “really, really bad governance”.Greg Clarke says the PFA was “trying to suck him in”. But he adds that he doesn’t blame them for that. “However in a national governing body it is different.” Again he brings up the Sport England code which shows he is mandated to behave in that way. He feels he has been made to look “oafish” and he is “disappointed”. He feels the irony is that the people doing that have some “really, really bad governance”.
4.34pm BST4.34pm BST
16:3416:34
Greg Clarke continues to say that there were constant attempts to drag him into the issue. He says his hands were tied. Does that mean the whole FA process is flawed? “I have chaired a number of public companies. There must be a clear delineation between governance and management.”Greg Clarke continues to say that there were constant attempts to drag him into the issue. He says his hands were tied. Does that mean the whole FA process is flawed? “I have chaired a number of public companies. There must be a clear delineation between governance and management.”
4.32pm BST4.32pm BST
16:3216:32
Why did Greg Clarke ask to be “enlightened” about why the PFA put the allegations to him? He says he explained three times to the PFA chief executive three times at matches that his hands were tied by the Sport England code. He says if he was involved he would have had to recuse himself. “I’ve tried to stay in my governance box.”Why did Greg Clarke ask to be “enlightened” about why the PFA put the allegations to him? He says he explained three times to the PFA chief executive three times at matches that his hands were tied by the Sport England code. He says if he was involved he would have had to recuse himself. “I’ve tried to stay in my governance box.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.36pm BSTat 4.36pm BST
4.31pm BST4.31pm BST
16:3116:31
It’s Greg Clarke’s turn. He’s asked about that 14-word email. He has a brochure. “I was mandated and directed by the Sport England code not to get involved.”It’s Greg Clarke’s turn. He’s asked about that 14-word email. He has a brochure. “I was mandated and directed by the Sport England code not to get involved.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.31pm BSTat 4.31pm BST
4.28pm BST4.28pm BST
16:2816:28
Does Rachel Brace agree the FA’s own investigation was inadequate? She says she doesn’t and that nor does the barrister.Does Rachel Brace agree the FA’s own investigation was inadequate? She says she doesn’t and that nor does the barrister.
4.28pm BST4.28pm BST
16:2816:28
Did you accepted that what Eni had said was true? “I accepted Eni had heard something that Drew had said.”Did you accepted that what Eni had said was true? “I accepted Eni had heard something that Drew had said.”
4.28pm BST4.28pm BST
16:2816:28
Which witness did you speak to? “We couldn’t speak to Drew Spence. We watched the video. There was no evidence on the video of anything untoward happening.”Which witness did you speak to? “We couldn’t speak to Drew Spence. We watched the video. There was no evidence on the video of anything untoward happening.”
4.27pm BST4.27pm BST
16:2716:27
The committee is telling Rachel Brace that the FA did not investigate a serious investigation satisfactorily. Rachel Brace says she spoke to Lianne Sanderson and Anita Asante.The committee is telling Rachel Brace that the FA did not investigate a serious investigation satisfactorily. Rachel Brace says she spoke to Lianne Sanderson and Anita Asante.
4.26pm BST4.26pm BST
16:2616:26
Rachel Brace says there were no stones unturned in Katherine Newton’s investigation. However the committee is saying that the FA did not do enough to interview key witnesses.Rachel Brace says there were no stones unturned in Katherine Newton’s investigation. However the committee is saying that the FA did not do enough to interview key witnesses.
4.24pm BST4.24pm BST
16:2416:24
The FA's director of HR, Rachel Brace, has just told inquiry they always knew the player at China Cup was Drew Spence (1/2).The FA's director of HR, Rachel Brace, has just told inquiry they always knew the player at China Cup was Drew Spence (1/2).
(2/2): yet the FA media dept has said since the start they did not initially know Drew Spence's identity - and blamed Eni Aluko for that.(2/2): yet the FA media dept has said since the start they did not initially know Drew Spence's identity - and blamed Eni Aluko for that.
4.24pm BST4.24pm BST
16:2416:24
Rachel Brace agrees that none of the 16 players put forward to Katherine Newton by Dan Ashworth were in the meeting relating to issues about Drew Spence. She is being grilled about whether it’s right none of the eye-witnesses were interviewed. Did the FA steer the barrister away from the right witnesses? “You can only speak to players who want to come forward.”Rachel Brace agrees that none of the 16 players put forward to Katherine Newton by Dan Ashworth were in the meeting relating to issues about Drew Spence. She is being grilled about whether it’s right none of the eye-witnesses were interviewed. Did the FA steer the barrister away from the right witnesses? “You can only speak to players who want to come forward.”
Rachel Brace adds FA recommended 16 players for K Newton to speak to - yet not Drew Spence and none of the eye-witnesses. Laughter in room.Rachel Brace adds FA recommended 16 players for K Newton to speak to - yet not Drew Spence and none of the eye-witnesses. Laughter in room.
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at 4.29pm BSTat 4.29pm BST
4.22pm BST4.22pm BST
16:2216:22
Rachel Brace says she did not instruct Katherine Newton to do anything as that would be inappropriate. She says the names of players were put forward as witnesses. She is asked if any of them were in the relevant meeting. She says they were players who were happy to come forward.Rachel Brace says she did not instruct Katherine Newton to do anything as that would be inappropriate. She says the names of players were put forward as witnesses. She is asked if any of them were in the relevant meeting. She says they were players who were happy to come forward.
4.21pm BST4.21pm BST
16:2116:21
Rachel Brace: “These were really serious allegations and it was my understanding from the first meeting that this was very sensitive. It needed to be kept tight. It needed to be done with absolute privacy. Eniola gave us the name of two witnesses she wanted us to speak to. We recognised that the internal process had not got where Eniola wanted it to.”Rachel Brace: “These were really serious allegations and it was my understanding from the first meeting that this was very sensitive. It needed to be kept tight. It needed to be done with absolute privacy. Eniola gave us the name of two witnesses she wanted us to speak to. We recognised that the internal process had not got where Eniola wanted it to.”
4.19pm BST4.19pm BST
16:1916:19
Rachel Brace is defending the FA against suggestions that it did not speak to Drew Spence. She says that Spence said in a meeting at Chelsea that she did not want to be involved in the investigation.Rachel Brace is defending the FA against suggestions that it did not speak to Drew Spence. She says that Spence said in a meeting at Chelsea that she did not want to be involved in the investigation.
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4.15pm BST4.15pm BST
16:1516:15
Rachel Brace: “We had a second meeting with Eniola and the PFA and we admitted that we hadn’t seen the video. We admitted that was an oversight.”Rachel Brace: “We had a second meeting with Eniola and the PFA and we admitted that we hadn’t seen the video. We admitted that was an oversight.”
4.14pm BST4.14pm BST
16:1416:14
Is it right that Aluko’s specific complaints were not answered by the FA? “We did not ask her to do that,” Rachel Brace says.Is it right that Aluko’s specific complaints were not answered by the FA? “We did not ask her to do that,” Rachel Brace says.
FA executives now in front of hearing. Martin Glenn's written evidence says FA "followed what we believe to be a robust and fair process."FA executives now in front of hearing. Martin Glenn's written evidence says FA "followed what we believe to be a robust and fair process."
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at 4.14pm BSTat 4.14pm BST
4.13pm BST4.13pm BST
16:1316:13
Martin Glenn says Eni Aluko received “a fulsome response” to her grievances. The committee is taking issue with the level of the response Aluko received. “I wont admit she didn’t get a response,” Glenn says.Martin Glenn says Eni Aluko received “a fulsome response” to her grievances. The committee is taking issue with the level of the response Aluko received. “I wont admit she didn’t get a response,” Glenn says.
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at 4.30pm BSTat 4.30pm BST
4.12pm BST4.12pm BST
16:1216:12
Martin Glenn is asked whether it was right that Dan Ashworth was a witness in the FA’s own inquiry. “I have a different opinion. We took the concerns and the complaints seriously. We followed them in the way that was typical of most organisations, an internal review, and then when that fell short for the complainant, we looked outside.”Martin Glenn is asked whether it was right that Dan Ashworth was a witness in the FA’s own inquiry. “I have a different opinion. We took the concerns and the complaints seriously. We followed them in the way that was typical of most organisations, an internal review, and then when that fell short for the complainant, we looked outside.”
4.11pm BST4.11pm BST
16:1116:11
Martin Glenn is told that Katherine Newton was critical of the FA’s own inquiry. He defends the FA’s approach and tries to bring in Rachel Brace at this point. The focus, however, stays on him.Martin Glenn is told that Katherine Newton was critical of the FA’s own inquiry. He defends the FA’s approach and tries to bring in Rachel Brace at this point. The focus, however, stays on him.
4.10pm BST4.10pm BST
16:1016:10
Martin Glenn: “I believe the subjects were dealt with honestly and diligently.”Martin Glenn: “I believe the subjects were dealt with honestly and diligently.”
4.10pm BST4.10pm BST
16:1016:10
Martin Glenn is asked if he should apologise for the FA’s handling of the affair. “I want to reiterate the apology to Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence. It’s not right an FA employee should behave that way. We have a grievance procedure, but it’s clearly fallen short in respect to the pressures elite players have.”Martin Glenn is asked if he should apologise for the FA’s handling of the affair. “I want to reiterate the apology to Eniola Aluko and Drew Spence. It’s not right an FA employee should behave that way. We have a grievance procedure, but it’s clearly fallen short in respect to the pressures elite players have.”
Glenn says he believes the FA have acted with “decency and openness”. He says opening an independent inquiry shows the FA took grievances seriously. He references “inappropriate banter.”Glenn says he believes the FA have acted with “decency and openness”. He says opening an independent inquiry shows the FA took grievances seriously. He references “inappropriate banter.”