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Shock claim of former Chelsea doctor Eva Caneiro at her tribunal against Jose Mourinho

Witness statements and documents - including texts and emails – would also likely be made public

Eva Carneiro

 

JOSE Mourinho told Eva Carneiro she should work with Chelsea Ladies after her bust up with the ex-manager, according to the former first-team doctor.

He is said to have told head of communications and PR at Chelsea, Steve Atkins, that he did not want Dr Carneiro on the bench the next match, adding: "She works in academy team or ladys (sic) team not with me".

 Dr Eva arrived at the tribunal with her polar explorer husband Jason De Carteret this morning
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Dr Eva arrived at the tribunal with her polar explorer husband Jason De Carteret this morningCredit: Getty Images

The comments were said to have followed their public falling out after Dr Eva went on the pitch to treat Eden Hazard leaving Chelsea temporarily down to nine men.

The new Manchester United boss sexually discriminated against her according to Dr Eva who is bringing an employment tribunal against him and the Premier League club.

The medic claims Mourinho told Chelsea medical director, Paco Biosca: "If they don't know how to do their jobs and they don't understand the game you get other ones. You have to understand the game."

Mary O'Rourke QC, for Dr Carneiro, said: "Not understanding the game is a common allegation put to women in the football world."

Dr Eva said there was a lack of action by Chelsea following sexually explicit chanting at various away games, a lack of female changing facilities and that she regularly had to endure sexually explicit comments from her colleagues.

 Dr Eva was described as "impulsive and naïve” by Mourinho and dropped as first team doctor after treating injury-feigning Eden Hazard
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Dr Eva was described as "impulsive and naïve” by Mourinho and dropped as first team doctor after treating injury-feigning Eden HazardCredit: EPA

 

 

Mourinho could face two days of questioning at the employment tribunal brought by the former Chelsea doctor after she reportedly turned down an offer of £1.2 million to settle.

He will be quizzed after Dr Eva brought personal legal action against him for alleged victimisation and discrimination.

Mary O'Rourke QC, who is representing the medic, told the hearing she is likely to take at least a day to cross-examine Mourinho as Dr Eva was accused of making "extravagant demands".

The tribunal heard that the Gibraltar-born Brit doctor is expected to be questioned over two and a half days, beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Witness statements - including texts and emails – would also likely be made public.

Documents revealed today showed that Dr Carneiro ‘rejected a £1.2 million settlement’ from her former club.

Daniel Stilitz QC, representing Mourinho, said: "Had she not resigned, she would now be carrying on her duties as first team doctor.

"Instead she adopted a provocative approach and refused to engage in steps to rebuild her relationship with Mr Mourinho.

"Moreover, she indicated a willingness to remain at Chelsea only if her wholly unrealistic and extravagant financial, and other, demands were met.

"The claimant had been offered her job back on more than one occasion.

"She has been made an open offer of £1.2million to settle her claims, far more than the respondents believe she could realistically recover if she succeeded on all her claims."

 

 

 

Today the panel heard that Mourinho acknowledges he used the Portuguese term "filho da puta".

The case will revolve around one vowel whether Mourinho said "filha de puta" - daughter of a whore - or "filho de puta" - son of a bitch.

Mourinho argued in his statement that it was a phrase he used a lot: “Filho da puta is a phrase I often use, all of the players know it. There is no sexist connotation in the use of the phrase - it is just like saying 'f*** off'.

"In the world of football, a lot of swear words are used."

He argued that footballer Cesc Fabregas had also used the Spanish equivalent of the term when a Chelsea player was fouled during the game.

In a statement he said: “Cesc and I both speak English well, but in the heat of the game we both swear in our mother language.

"Eva was not on the pitch at that point in time."

But Dr Eva said she heard the term "clearly from behind her" as she ran on to the pitch.

Ms O'Rourke said: "He uses the word 'filha' because he is abusing a woman."

She added: "This is a tale of two employees, one good (Dr Carneiro) and one bad (Mourinho).

"The bad employee forces the good employee out of the job of her dreams and the employer does nothing to stop it.

"The bad employee berates, sexually harassed and demoted the good employee for carrying out her professional duties, namely her health and safety duties as the first team doctor, pitchside."

Chelsea and Mourinho deny she was discriminated against.

The club say she was "preoccupied with developing her profile" by signing autographs and having photographs taken with members of the public.

 The new Manchester United boss said in a statement that used the Portuguese term 'filho da puta'
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The new Manchester United boss said in a statement that used the Portuguese term 'filho da puta'Credit: Getty Images
 Dr Eva is also claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and the tribunal was adjourned until 2pm tomorrow
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Dr Eva is also claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and the tribunal was adjourned until 2pm tomorrowCredit: Rex Features

 

Dr Carneiro, 42, had a public falling out with the Special One after treating injury-feigning Eden Hazard against Swansea at the beginning of the season.

It left Chelsea temporarily down to nine men but rather than blame the Belgian, then manager Mourinho criticised Carneiro and physiotherapist Jon Fearn for being "impulsive and naive".

He dropped her as first team doctor and Dr Eva did not appear on the bench again for first-team duties.

Mourinho was sacked and replaced by Guus Hiddink in November.

He was not at the opening day of the case - which is expected to be heard over seven to 10 days - at the London South Employment Tribunal in Croydon.

Mary O'Rourke QC said Dr Carneiro was not looking for her old job back.

The warring parties failed to agree a settlement which would have prevented a public hearing.

 The tribunal heard that Dr Eva is expected to be questioned over two and a half days, beginning tomorrow afternoon
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The tribunal heard that Dr Eva is expected to be questioned over two and a half days, beginning tomorrow afternoonCredit: PA:Press Association

Dr Eva is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea. The club filed their defence in the tribunal hearing last December and another private preliminary hearing was held in January.

Last month Mourinho appeared to be carrying notes relating to the claims.

The first page of the documents included the words 'witness’ and 'evidence’.

Mourinho took up his new post at Manchester United at the end of last month and the case threatens to overshadow the start of his reign at Old Trafford.

Chelsea supported Mourinho – who was cleared of using discriminatory language towards Carneiro following an investigation by the Football Association - even after his employment as manager was terminated.

FA independent board member, Dame Heather Rabbatts criticised the governing body for not interviewing medic Eva as part of its investigation.

Dr Carneiro also had backing from Fifa's medical chairman, Michel D'Hooghe who supported her insistence that she was simply doing her job.

Fearn continues to be employed by Chelsea and returned to the first-team bench in March.

The hearing continues.


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