The FA’s charge against former England Women’s manager Mark Sampson for his alleged use of racial language has been dismissed by an independent disciplinary commission.

Sampson had previously denied the charge after allegations were made by a former Stevenage coach. 

Ali Uzunhasanoglu was sacked by Stevenage last September and complained that Sampson had refused to sign a Nigerian defender during an internal club transfer meeting. Dino Maamria, the manager at the time and now in charge of Oldham reiterated Uzunhasanoglu’s allegations, despite witness statements arguing against such claims.

The club, however, said the allegations had “no foundation” and Sampson remained confident he would clear his name.

Stevenage Chairman Phil Wallace said the findings of the panel have come as no surprise to anyone at the cub…

"The not proven outcome was obvious to us after a very thorough investigation of the facts four months ago and I am pleased that the panels 17 pages of findings issued today concur with our own internal investigation conducted in September.”

The prosecution case had been undermined by Sampson’s preference for another defender of Nigerian heritage and by the delay in contacting the FA.

"The Club has stood shoulder to shoulder with Mark because the evidence presented by those independents present at the time conflicted with the allegation,” Wallace said.

“Our Club will never tolerate racism and we implement the EFL Equality Code of Practice to manage the Club and safeguard the nine key protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, but that doesn’t mean we will stand ildly by if we feel allegations are being used for a purpose."

Sampson has also been subject to claims of racism and bullying in the past but has been cleared of any wrongdoing.