England women's football manager Mark Sampson sacked following new evidence

The Football Association has announced it has sacked England women's football manager Mark Sampson after evidence of "inappropriate behaviour".

The FA says Sampson was investigated while manager of Bristol Academy in 2013 and and in 2014 allegations were made against him.

An assessment was made that concluded he did not pose a risk to those working in the game.

However, tonight the FA released a statement saying the full report of that probe was only brought to their attention last week and shows "clear evidence of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by a coach".

The statement said: "The Football Association can confirm that Mark Sampson's contract as England Women's Head Coach has been terminated with immediate effect.

"Prior to taking charge of the national team in December 2013, Mark was manager of Bristol Academy. In 2014, safeguarding allegations were made against him about his time with Bristol. The safeguarding assessment was that he did not pose a risk working in the game.

"However the full report of that investigation was only brought to the attention of the current FA leadership last week and it is our judgement that it revealed clear evidence of inappropriate behaviour by a coach. It is on this basis that we have acted quickly to agree a termination of Mark's contract."

The 34-year-old has been at the centre of discrimination allegations made by Chelsea Ladies and England striker Eniola Aluko.

Sampson denies the claims and was cleared by two investigations of any wrongdoing. The FA said it stood by the findings and says no evidence of wrong-doing was found.

It added: "We will continue to support the independent investigation as it reviews the recent evidence presented to it and publish any new findings and recommendations."

FA bosses face a parliamentary inquiry over their investigations after Aluko initially made "bullying and harassment" allegations against Sampson.

Aluko and fellow England forward Lianne Sanderson have been asked to give evidence at a select committee hearing in October.

Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch said: "This situation is a mess and raises very serious questions about whether the historic processes that the FA had in place around the recruitment of coaches were appropriate, for something like this to have been missed.

"The FA are right to have taken action but reassurance is needed to make sure this does not happen again at any level of coaching."

Sampson has managed the Lionesses since 2013, leading them to third place at the 2015 Women's World Cup.

On Tuesday, the team beat Russia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Tranmere Rovers' Prenton Park.

He was appointed England boss in December 2013, succeeding Hope Powell to become the second permanent manager of the England Women's team.