Ex England goalkeeper, Rachel Brown-Finnis, says women's football has

Ex England goalkeeper, Rachel Brown-Finnis, says women's football has been "dragged through the mud" following Mark Sampson sacking.

Mark Sampson was dismissed on Wednesday after evidence of "inapprop­riate" behaviour in a previous role he held.

The 34-year-old, hired by the Football Association in 2013, was investigated in 2014 over safeguarding allegations but was found not to pose a risk.

The FA board met on Monday to discuss the issues surrounding Sampson's dismissal.

In a statement, the board said it was "confident" the right procedures are in place to prevent a similar issue arising now or in the future.

The former England manager was also cleared this year of wrongdoing following discri­mina­tion allegations made by England players, including that of Chelsea striker Eniola Aluko.

"The inves­tiga­tions threw up more questions than answers," added Brown-Finnis, who retired from inter­national football in 2015.

Aluko and FA repre­sen­ta­tives will meet on 18 October to give evidence to a parli­amen­tary committee.

Sampson was sacked following England's 6-0 victory over Russia on Tuesday.

SB