Lee Kendall has left his role as England women’s goalkeeping coach, despite being cleared in a Football Association investigation into allegations of “unacceptable behaviour”.
Kendall, who was brought up in Blackwood, was placed under investigation by the FA after former international Eniola Aluko accused him of speaking to her in a fake Caribbean accent.
On Thursday, November 16, the FA said its investigation into Kendall, 36, had concluded no further action was necessary.
In a statement, it said: “The FA has completed its investigation into allegations made by Eniola Aluko regarding Lee Kendall. The investigation has now concluded and it was decided that no further action was necessary.
“Despite the FA’s conclusion, Lee Kendall has decided to resign from his position as goalkeeping coach of the England Women’s senior team.
“It is Lee’s choice to focus on the future and on pursuing his career elsewhere. We wish him well for the future.”
Nigerian-born Aluko, 30, made the allegations to the UK Government’s Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport last month during part of an investigation into how the FA dealt with complaints about the behaviour of former England women’s boss, Mark Sampson.
Sampson, who took England to two consecutive tournament semi-finals, was sacked in September after allegations of “inappropriate and unacceptable” behaviour with female players in a previous role were raised with the FA.
The authority also apologised after Sampson was found to have used discriminatory language towards Aluko and her Chelsea teammate Drew Spence following three inquiries.
Giving evidence to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Wednesday, October 18, Aluko said of Kendall: “I don’t think he meant it maliciously. He may not have been aware of how annoying it got.
“I’m not Caribbean. I’m of African descent. I thought it was another example of an ignorant mindset and behaviour towards me.
“It would be like always speaking to him in a Scottish accent.”
Former Cardiff City stopper Kendall was appointed as England women’s goalkeeping coach in January 2014, a month after fellow Welshman Sampson became manager.