The controversy, created by Jose Mourinho, surrounding Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro could be headed for the courts.
According to the London Independent, Carneiro is planning legal action against the club if she is not reinstated to her role. The Telegraph reported last week that despite Chelsea saying that the 41-year-old would be carrying out her duties at the club training ground, she has not returned to work in any capacity since the opening day of the season.
Carneiro, along with physio Jon Fearn, entered the field of play to treat Eden Hazard during Chelsea's draw with Swansea on August 8th. This led to Hazard being forced to temporarily leave the game and Chelsea being reduced to just nine players on the pitch as Thibaut Courtois had earlier been sent off.
This raised the ire of Mourinho, who claimed that his medical staff did not understand the game. Days later, Carneiro was essentially demoted from her role, no longer being required to sit on the bench during games or attend training sessions.
If the Chelsea doctor does go ahead with legal proceedings then 'sexism could form a key part of her case' according to the Independent. Carneiro claims that Mourinho referred to her as a 'secretary' in his post-match comments.
Here's what Mourinho said after the Swansea game.
Even if you are a kit man, a doctor or a secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game. I was sure he [Hazard] hadn’t a serious problem. He was very tired but my medical department, on an impulse, was naïve and left me with eight outfield players on a counter-attack.
If, as some have posited, this started off as a trademark Mourinho attempt to distract from a poor performance, then he really has gone too far this time.
