Mark Sampson was sacked for 'inappropriate and unacceptable' conduct

Former England Women head coach Mark Sampson lost his job because of a relationship with a player during his time at Bristol Academy, according to Sky sources.

Sampson, cleared twice of any wrongdoing after allegations of discrimination and racism made by striker Eni Aluko, was sacked on September 20 after information came to light about his conduct during his time at Bristol prior to his England appointment.

The FA board met chief executive Martin Glenn on Monday to discuss his handling of Sampson's exit, in particular why it took so long to sack the 34-year old in relation to allegations from 2014 of "inappropriate and unacceptable" behaviour while he was head coach at Bristol Academy.

After the five-hour discussions at Wembley, the FA released a statement backing Glenn and his conduct over the crisis.

While the governing body has stated that no laws had been broken, Sky Sports News understands that Sampson's dismissal was because of a six-month relationship with a player who was over the age of 18.

Sue Smith is unhappy with the fall-out from Mark Sampson's sacking Sue Smith is unhappy with the fall-out from Mark Sampson's sacking

Sampson was with Bristol for four years, leading the club to two FA Women's Cup finals and finishing runners-up in the 2013 FA WSL season before joining the FA in December 2013.

Sampson was dismissed less than 24 hours after leading England to a 6-0 win over Russia in a World Cup qualifier against Russia.

The FA's original investigation in 2014 concluded that Sampson needed mentoring and tutoring about the boundaries that needed to be maintained between coaches and players, adding he "did not pose a risk working in the game".

Sampson has also been at the centre of discrimination allegations made by Chelsea Ladies and England forward Aluko.

He denied the claims, and was cleared by an internal FA review and an independent investigation led by barrister Katharine Newton QC.

The FA said Aluko's allegations were unrelated to his dismissal. Aluko declined to take part in the investigation.

The board may decide to take no immediate action on the futures of senior FA figures but will be mindful of the growing public scrutiny and the impending prospect of its executives explaining their action to MPs at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) hearing on October 18.

DCMS select Committe chair Damian Collins MP has criticised the FA's handling of Mark Sampson's dismissal DCMS select Committe chair Damian Collins MP has criticised the FA's handling of Mark Sampson's dismissal

Aluko will also give evidence to the DCMS along with unnamed representatives of the FA at the session which forms a part of the Committee's inquiry into sports governance.

Aluko's team-mate Drew Spence gave new evidence to barrister Katharine Newton last Friday. It's not known when any new findings will be published.