Jose Mourinho Reportedly Facing FA Improper Conduct Probe After Eva Carneiro Row

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to be the subject of an investigation from the Football Association amid reports he used “abusive” and “sexist” language toward former first-team doctor, Eva Carneiro.

That’s according to Sam Wallace of the Independent, who wrote that the complaint refers to the Blues’ opening game of the season against Swansea City, after which Mourinho criticised and subsequently banished Carneiro and her colleague Jon Fearn from the dugout. However, according to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard, "It is highly unlikely that Mourinho will have a case to answer."

"I have no reaction," Mourinho said when he was quizzed on the reported investigation, per Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror.

According to Matt Hughes of the Times, Carneiro and Fearn are close to being reinstated for Saturday’s clash with Arsenal.

However, Wallace wrote that regardless of what seems like an imminent return for Carneiro, Mourinho could be in hot water with the FA due to some of the language used toward her:

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The Football Association is investigating a complaint that Jose Mourinho used abusive, sexist language towards former team doctor Eva Carneiro during Chelsea's Premier League game against Swansea City. …

In footage of the incident subsequently broadcast by Sky Sports, Mourinho could be seen shouting angrily while he was observing Carneiro and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn from the touchline. Mourinho then had a subsequent exchange with Carneiro, a native Spanish speaking, Gibraltar-born medic, as she came down the touchline to return to her seat.

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According to the piece, if Mourinho is found guilty of these accusations, he could face a touchline ban of up to five matches.

As noted by Wallace, the FA released its own statement on the matter: “The FA has received an enquiry relating to an alleged incident during the Premier League fixture between Swansea v Chelsea on 8 August, and will make no further comment at this time.”

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Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph wrote that Carneiro has not been seen at Chelsea's Cobham training complex since the incident took place on August 8, but she was reportedly summoned there on Friday. It's also noted that Fearn has been continuing to work with the players since the Swansea game, although it remains to be seen whether the pair will be back on the bench for Saturday's match.

The incident represents one of many volatile moments from a tense Mourinho during what has been a hugely disappointing start to the season.

Last weekend, the Blues boss used profane language toward Everton manager Roberto Martinez over the order of media commitments. In the week leading up to Saturday’s clash with Arsenal, the Portuguese snapped at a journalist, encouraging the reporter to look things up on Google instead of asking “stupid questions,” per Dominic Fifield of the Guardian.

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Chelsea did return to their winning ways on Wednesday with a 4-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League, but the clash with the Gunners on Saturday is likely to reveal whether or not this team has made any significant positive strides.

As noted by Bleacher Report's Chelsea correspondent Garry Hayes, the club's supporters still seem unanimous in their backing of Mourinho:

Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell thinks the Blues will get the job done when they square off against their London rivals:

If Carneiro and Fearn do come back to the bench on Saturday, it’ll be another intriguing subplot in a vital game. The reported ongoing investigation into Mourinho’s conduct toward Carneiro could make things slightly awkward, too. But to release the frustration that’s gripped so many at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, results are needed.

The Gunners have yet to click into gear themselves, and manager Arsene Wenger has never beaten Mourinho in a league game. Arsenal, therefore, could be the ideal opposition for Chelsea, as they bid to turn attention from all the goings on behind the scenes back to some purposeful performances out on the pitch.