Chelsea issue apology ‘unreservedly’ in settling Carneiro case
LONDON: Chelsea conceded profuse apologies after settling former club doctor Eva Carneiro’s dismissal claim on only the second day of a tribunal hearing in south London.
Dr Carneiro, who claimed constructive dismissal against Chelsea, also reached a discrimination settlement against the club’s former manager Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea said it apologised “unreservedly” to the former first team doctor for the distress caused.
On Monday it emerged Chelsea had offered Dr Carneiro £1.2m to settle her claims, which she had rejected.
In a statement, Dr Carneiro said: “I am relieved that today we have been able to conclude this tribunal case. It has been an extremely difficult and distressing time for me and my family and I now look forward to moving forward with my life.
“My priority has always been the health and safety of the players and fulfilling my duty of care as a doctor.”
Addressing the London South Employment Tribunal centre in Croydon, Daniel Stilitz QC, for Chelsea and Mourinho, said: “We are pleased to be able to tell the tribunal that the parties agreed a settlement on confidential terms.”
Jon Fearn and Eva Carneiro were criticised by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after the draw with Swansea
Dr Carneiro claimed she was sexually discriminated against after she went on to the pitch to treat Chelsea player Eden Hazard during the opening day of the Premier League season last August.
She claimed that Mourinho shouted the Portuguese phrase “filha da puta” at her, which means “daughter of a whore”, as she ran on to the pitch.
Hazard had to leave the pitch, briefly leaving the team with only nine men at what the manager claimed was a crucial stage in the game.
Chelsea went on to draw 2-2 with Swansea and Mr Mourinho publicly criticised both Dr Carneiro and first team physio Jon Fearn for being “impulsive and naive”.
Dr Carneiro left the club in September after being demoted.
This was a major victory for Dr Carneiro on behalf of not only her own behalf but of medical specialists in football.
Chelsea would have been keen to avoid the potential embarrassment of a personal feud going even more public.
Jose Mourinho’s new employers, Manchester United, would also have been keen to ensure that this did not drag on any longer.
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