London

Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro settles dismissal case

  • 7 June 2016
  • From the section London
Dr Eva Carneiro Image copyright PA
Image caption Dr Carneiro said her priority has always been the health and safety of the players

Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro has settled her dismissal claim against the club on confidential terms.

Dr Carneiro had claimed constructive dismissal against the club and was also bringing separate legal action against former manager Jose Mourinho.

On Monday it emerged Chelsea offered Dr Carneiro £1.2m to settle her claims which she had rejected.

Chelsea said it "regretted the circumstances" which led to the former first team doctor leaving the club.

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."
Image caption Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho arrives at the employment tribunal of Eva Carneiro

Addressing the tribunal, 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."

Chelsea said in a statement: "The club regrets the circumstances which led to Dr Carneiro leaving the club and apologises unreservedly to her and her family for the distress caused.

"We wish to place on record that in running onto the pitch Dr Carneiro was following both the rules of the game and fulfilling her responsibility to the players as a doctor, putting their safety first.

It added: "Jose Mourinho also thanked Dr Carneiro for the excellent and dedicated support she provided as First Team Doctor and he wishes her a successful career."

Sex discrimination claim

Dr Carneiro had alleged that she was sexually discriminated against after she went on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during the opening day of the Premier League season last August.

She claims that Mourinho shouted the Portuguese phrase "filha da puta" at her, which means "daughter of a whore", as she ran on to the pitch.

Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Jon Fearn and Eva Carneiro were criticised by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after the draw with Swansea

Mourinho has conceded that he used the term, but insisted he had been using it throughout the match.

Mary O'Rourke QC, acting for Dr Carneiro, told the tribunal on Monday: "He [Mourinho] uses the word 'filha' because he is abusing a woman."

Dr Carneiro also alleged that on 10 August last year Mourinho told Steve Atkins, head of communications and PR at Chelsea, that he did not want Dr Carneiro on the bench at the next match, adding: "She works in academy team or ladies team, not with me."

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