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| Eni Aluko accuses FA of actions 'bordering on blackmail' as Glenn and co grilled – as it happened | Eni Aluko accuses FA of actions 'bordering on blackmail' as Glenn and co grilled – as it happened |
| (17 days later) | |
| There’s no shortage of revelations for people to get stuck into after everything we’ve heard today. But perhaps what most caught people’s attention Eniola Aluko saying that it was “bordering on blackmail” that Martin Glenn, the FA’s chief executive, allegedly intimated to her that she would only receive the second part of her settlement payment if she agreed to release a statement saying the FA was not institutionally racist. Asked by the committee, Glenn denied making that claim. | There’s no shortage of revelations for people to get stuck into after everything we’ve heard today. But perhaps what most caught people’s attention Eniola Aluko saying that it was “bordering on blackmail” that Martin Glenn, the FA’s chief executive, allegedly intimated to her that she would only receive the second part of her settlement payment if she agreed to release a statement saying the FA was not institutionally racist. Asked by the committee, Glenn denied making that claim. |
| The FA did, however, begin the afternoon by apologising to Aluko and Drew Spence after the reopened investigation into the Mark Sampson affair concluded that the now-deposed England Women’s manager did make discriminatory remarks to two of his players. Greg Clarke, the FA’s chairman, then went on to defend himself for a 14-word reply to an email from the PFA, an organisation he later criticised, about an inquiry it called a “sham”. | The FA did, however, begin the afternoon by apologising to Aluko and Drew Spence after the reopened investigation into the Mark Sampson affair concluded that the now-deposed England Women’s manager did make discriminatory remarks to two of his players. Greg Clarke, the FA’s chairman, then went on to defend himself for a 14-word reply to an email from the PFA, an organisation he later criticised, about an inquiry it called a “sham”. |
| Near the end, it also emerged that Mark Sampson is considering a wrongful dismissal claim by the FA. All in all, it’s unlikely it’s the last we’ve heard of this story. But that’s all from me for now. We’ll have reports and analysis up on the site soon. Thanks for reading. Bye. | Near the end, it also emerged that Mark Sampson is considering a wrongful dismissal claim by the FA. All in all, it’s unlikely it’s the last we’ve heard of this story. But that’s all from me for now. We’ll have reports and analysis up on the site soon. Thanks for reading. Bye. |
| That brings an end to the inquiry. Lasting a good four hours, that was one intense grilling. | That brings an end to the inquiry. Lasting a good four hours, that was one intense grilling. |
| Why was the settlement to Eni Aluko in two payments? Martin Glenn said the FA wanted no distractions from the case during Euro 2017. He repeats that the contract was broken by Aluko’s tweet on 30 August. That leads to questions about whether the FA wanted to keep Aluko quiet between the two payments. Glenn denies this. | Why was the settlement to Eni Aluko in two payments? Martin Glenn said the FA wanted no distractions from the case during Euro 2017. He repeats that the contract was broken by Aluko’s tweet on 30 August. That leads to questions about whether the FA wanted to keep Aluko quiet between the two payments. Glenn denies this. |
| Speaking about the FA’s drive for greater inclusivity in football, Greg Clarke says that he has met someone who told him that he could introduce him to a gay Premier League footballer. | Speaking about the FA’s drive for greater inclusivity in football, Greg Clarke says that he has met someone who told him that he could introduce him to a gay Premier League footballer. |
| FA execs are asked about high-profile @lucyjward_ discrimination case at Leeds. All four look blankly, and admit they had never heard of it. | FA execs are asked about high-profile @lucyjward_ discrimination case at Leeds. All four look blankly, and admit they had never heard of it. |
| The FA has admitted that it has never heard about a previous discrimination case in football: Lucy Ward’s sacking by Leeds United. The club was ordered to pay its former academy welfare officer £290,000 following her employment tribunal victory against the club. Ward successfully pursued an unfair dismissal and sex discrimination case against Leeds in April after arguing that the reason she had been sacked in 2015 by the club’s owner Massimo Cellino was because she was the partner of former manager Neil Redfearn. | The FA has admitted that it has never heard about a previous discrimination case in football: Lucy Ward’s sacking by Leeds United. The club was ordered to pay its former academy welfare officer £290,000 following her employment tribunal victory against the club. Ward successfully pursued an unfair dismissal and sex discrimination case against Leeds in April after arguing that the reason she had been sacked in 2015 by the club’s owner Massimo Cellino was because she was the partner of former manager Neil Redfearn. |
| “When did this happen?” says an incredulous Greg Clarke. | “When did this happen?” says an incredulous Greg Clarke. |
| Mark Sampson was paid up the nine months of his contract, DCMS hears. Martin Glenn says Sampson now considering a wrongful dismissal claim. | Mark Sampson was paid up the nine months of his contract, DCMS hears. Martin Glenn says Sampson now considering a wrongful dismissal claim. |
| Mark Sampson’s lawyers have told the FA that he is considering a claim of wrongful dismissal. | Mark Sampson’s lawyers have told the FA that he is considering a claim of wrongful dismissal. |
| It is put to Greg Clarke that his explanation over his 14-word reply to the email from the PFA about this case was iffy. Clarke insists it’s the truth and points out that the exchange happened last November - when the FA was mired in the abuse scandal. | It is put to Greg Clarke that his explanation over his 14-word reply to the email from the PFA about this case was iffy. Clarke insists it’s the truth and points out that the exchange happened last November - when the FA was mired in the abuse scandal. |
| Greg Clarke now says his 14-word email was so curt as it coincided with the football-abuse revelations and he was "working 22 hours a day" | Greg Clarke now says his 14-word email was so curt as it coincided with the football-abuse revelations and he was "working 22 hours a day" |
| Greg Clarke says the FA took too long to reach an answer because its grievance procedure was not good enough. He says that he will be apologising to Eniola Aluko. It’s pointed out that she’s sitting behind him and he could do so now. Clarke insists he will properly apologise to Aluko and engage with her. | Greg Clarke says the FA took too long to reach an answer because its grievance procedure was not good enough. He says that he will be apologising to Eniola Aluko. It’s pointed out that she’s sitting behind him and he could do so now. Clarke insists he will properly apologise to Aluko and engage with her. |
| Martin Glenn is reminded that he chose not to apologise to Eniola Aluko for the FA’s handling of this case. Damian Collins sweeps past him. Greg Clarke admits that mistakes have been made and says the process was too slow. | Martin Glenn is reminded that he chose not to apologise to Eniola Aluko for the FA’s handling of this case. Damian Collins sweeps past him. Greg Clarke admits that mistakes have been made and says the process was too slow. |
| Damian Collins tells Martin Glenn that the FA should have apologised for “failures in process”. Glenn responds that that’s an “unfair characterisation”. | Damian Collins tells Martin Glenn that the FA should have apologised for “failures in process”. Glenn responds that that’s an “unfair characterisation”. |
| Martin Glenn: “We do not exist only to conduct internal reviews.” He says it’s actually to the FA’s credit that they eventually brought in an independent barrister. He insists that the FA was trying to find the truth. He says that the FA didn’t need to bring in Katherine Newton. | Martin Glenn: “We do not exist only to conduct internal reviews.” He says it’s actually to the FA’s credit that they eventually brought in an independent barrister. He insists that the FA was trying to find the truth. He says that the FA didn’t need to bring in Katherine Newton. |
| Dan Ashworth: “I was trying to put in a measured and balanced view.” He’s told that praising the atmosphere the atmosphere under Mark Sampson risked pre-judging the FA’s own inquiry. Damian Collins says the FA’s investigation “falls a long way short of what people expect.” | Dan Ashworth: “I was trying to put in a measured and balanced view.” He’s told that praising the atmosphere the atmosphere under Mark Sampson risked pre-judging the FA’s own inquiry. Damian Collins says the FA’s investigation “falls a long way short of what people expect.” |
| Damian Collins says he finds it strange that Dan Ashworth could be allowed to say that he thought Mark Sampson was doing a good job as England manager. “I’m not an HR expert,” Ashworth says. | Damian Collins says he finds it strange that Dan Ashworth could be allowed to say that he thought Mark Sampson was doing a good job as England manager. “I’m not an HR expert,” Ashworth says. |
| Ashworth also accepts "in hindsight it was wrong" that he gave personal evidence (backing Sampson) at an FA inquiry he was in charge of. | Ashworth also accepts "in hindsight it was wrong" that he gave personal evidence (backing Sampson) at an FA inquiry he was in charge of. |
| Rachel Brace insists that Dan Ashworth gave “a point of view” rather than evidence at the FA’s initial internal investigation. The FA’s HR director says she had many conversations with Ashworth about this and wouldn’t have let him give evidence. | Rachel Brace insists that Dan Ashworth gave “a point of view” rather than evidence at the FA’s initial internal investigation. The FA’s HR director says she had many conversations with Ashworth about this and wouldn’t have let him give evidence. |
| Damian Collins tells Martin Glenn that he doesn’t think the FA understand the criticisms that have been made of its internal investigation. It’s getting quite heated in the room. | Damian Collins tells Martin Glenn that he doesn’t think the FA understand the criticisms that have been made of its internal investigation. It’s getting quite heated in the room. |
| It gets worse. Rachel Brace, HR director, says several times that Katherine Newton had never said FA review was "not adequate" (1/2) | It gets worse. Rachel Brace, HR director, says several times that Katherine Newton had never said FA review was "not adequate" (1/2) |
| Greg Clarke adds that the FA is trying to become more transparent. He apologises to Eni Aluko because “I need to set an example”. | Greg Clarke adds that the FA is trying to become more transparent. He apologises to Eni Aluko because “I need to set an example”. |
| The FA is asked about press leaks. Is the FA scared of the press finding out things about the organisation? | The FA is asked about press leaks. Is the FA scared of the press finding out things about the organisation? |
| “I don’t feel there’s fear of the press,” Dan Ashworth says. | “I don’t feel there’s fear of the press,” Dan Ashworth says. |
| “There’s merit in your argument,” says Greg Clarke. “The FA sometimes behaves like a whipped dog. When I was shortlisted as one of two people interested in this job, people asked if I was mad ... that introduces a defensive mentality and a propensity not to make decisions. What I will say is the management team Martin has put in place is the best I’ve seen in a 40-year category.” | “There’s merit in your argument,” says Greg Clarke. “The FA sometimes behaves like a whipped dog. When I was shortlisted as one of two people interested in this job, people asked if I was mad ... that introduces a defensive mentality and a propensity not to make decisions. What I will say is the management team Martin has put in place is the best I’ve seen in a 40-year category.” |
| How could Mark Sampson not be happy with Eniola Aluko, an 102 cap player? “You’re right, Mark isn’t here to answer those questions. What I would say is in Eni’s previous 13 games for England she had scored one goal.” Ashworth maintains it was a coincidence that Aluko was dropped after contributing to the review. | How could Mark Sampson not be happy with Eniola Aluko, an 102 cap player? “You’re right, Mark isn’t here to answer those questions. What I would say is in Eni’s previous 13 games for England she had scored one goal.” Ashworth maintains it was a coincidence that Aluko was dropped after contributing to the review. |
| Dan Ashworth is told it’s too much of a coincidence that Eniola Aluko has not been picked for England since the cultural review. “I did not know who was in the review. As the technical director, the head coach picks the team, not me. Mark had been disappointed with some of the recent performances and he made some changes. One of the players dropped.” | Dan Ashworth is told it’s too much of a coincidence that Eniola Aluko has not been picked for England since the cultural review. “I did not know who was in the review. As the technical director, the head coach picks the team, not me. Mark had been disappointed with some of the recent performances and he made some changes. One of the players dropped.” |
| Rachel Brace says she thinks the initial investigation was “adequate”. She admits there were things she would do differently, though, such as making sure people feel confident about coming forward to speak and that confidentiality is stronger. | Rachel Brace says she thinks the initial investigation was “adequate”. She admits there were things she would do differently, though, such as making sure people feel confident about coming forward to speak and that confidentiality is stronger. |
| Does Martin Glenn think the FA has failed in its duty of care? “Yes, in this case, there’s clearly been mistakes.” So you’ve failed? “There have clearly been mistakes.” He refuses to categorically say the FA has failed in its duty of care, leading to stinging criticism from the committee. | Does Martin Glenn think the FA has failed in its duty of care? “Yes, in this case, there’s clearly been mistakes.” So you’ve failed? “There have clearly been mistakes.” He refuses to categorically say the FA has failed in its duty of care, leading to stinging criticism from the committee. |
| The committee tells Greg Clarke the FA should pay Aluko the rest of the money. “Sure,” he says. | The committee tells Greg Clarke the FA should pay Aluko the rest of the money. “Sure,” he says. |
| Greg Clarke is now apologising for referring to institutional racism claims as “fluff”. Oh Greg! | Greg Clarke is now apologising for referring to institutional racism claims as “fluff”. Oh Greg! |
| DCMS cttee moves onto Allardyce sacking. Clarke say now FA spends "lot of money raking through every cupboard...if there are any skeletons" | DCMS cttee moves onto Allardyce sacking. Clarke say now FA spends "lot of money raking through every cupboard...if there are any skeletons" |
| Martin Glenn: “The concern about Mark Sampson was raised in April 2014. Had I been chief executive at the time, I started in 2015, I would have spoken to the chairman. Senior people knew it, but the board weren’t informed. There was a lack of knowledge.” He says the handover of information was not good enough and left current senior FA figures like Rachel Brace in the dark. | Martin Glenn: “The concern about Mark Sampson was raised in April 2014. Had I been chief executive at the time, I started in 2015, I would have spoken to the chairman. Senior people knew it, but the board weren’t informed. There was a lack of knowledge.” He says the handover of information was not good enough and left current senior FA figures like Rachel Brace in the dark. |
| 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! | 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! |
| 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.” | 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.” | 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.” |
| 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”. | 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”. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Dan Ashworth is asked whether he was told about the allegations into Mark Sampson’s conduct at Bristol City. He says he was. | Dan Ashworth is asked whether he was told about the allegations into Mark Sampson’s conduct at Bristol City. He says he was. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.” | 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.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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?” | 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?” |
| Dan Ashworth has not been asked any questions yet. Time’s running out. | Dan Ashworth has not been asked any questions yet. Time’s running out. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Martin Glenn says the FA tried to get Aluko to correct and change the wording of her tweet. | Martin Glenn says the FA tried to get Aluko to correct and change the wording of her tweet. |
| Eniola Aluko did not think her tweet was defamatory; the FA does. | Eniola Aluko did not think her tweet was defamatory; the FA does. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 | FA chair Clarke on @PFA:"They are walking away from alcoholics, they are walking away from addicted gamblers" Slams PFA CEO Taylor's salary |
| 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... | 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... |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Martin Glenn: “Mark Sampson did not break any law.” | Martin Glenn: “Mark Sampson did not break any law.” |