Former England manager Mark Sampson has been charged with using racist language by the Football Association.

Sampson, who is currently caretaker boss of Stevenage, has been under investigation since September after an allegation from a former coach at the league two club.

It was alleged that the comment was aimed at a player during a conversation about transfer targets.

The club said earlier that racism allegations surrounding Sampson had "no foundation" after conducting their own investigation.

Sampson, who was named as the interim manager following the sacking of Dino Maamria earlier this season, denies the accusations.

The FA's statement read:  “Mark Sampson has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3. It is alleged that a comment made by the Stevenage FC caretaker manager breached FA Rule E3(1) as it was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting.

An aggravated breach means any abuse or insulting behaviour that references “ethnic origin and/or colour and/race and/or nationality.”

Sampson was sacked by England in 2017 after allegations of "inappropriate and unacceptable" behaviour with female players in a previous role.

Before his dismissal, he had been cleared of wrongdoing following discrimination allegations made by England players, including then Chelsea and Lionesses striker Eniola Aluko.

Aluko accused him of making racist jokes when he was in charge. She told The Guardian at the time she had said to Sampson that some family were coming from Nigeria to watch her play to which he allegedly responded: "‘Oh. Nigeria? Make sure they don’t bring Ebola with them.’"

The FA apologised to Aluko and England team-mate Drew Spence for Sampson's racially discriminatory remarks after an independent barrister ruled he made unacceptable "ill-judged attempts at humour" on two occasions.

In January the FA reached a settlement with Sampson after an unfair dismissal case.

He has until December 6 to respond to the latest charge.