Eva Carneiro Slams FA, Says Governing Body Ignored Evidence in Jose Mourinho Row

Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro has hit out at the Football Association for failing to properly investigate claims made concerning alleged sexist abuse aimed at her by Blues manager Jose Mourinho.

Carneiro left the west London club recently after she was demoted following Mourinho's criticism of her for an incident during Chelsea's August 8 match against Swansea City.

Per BBC Sport, the FA announced earlier this week that no action would be taken after a member of the public alleged Mourinho aimed sexist abuse at Carneiro during the Swansea match at Stamford Bridge.

But, speaking for the first time on the matter, Carneiro has now slammed the FA for failing to interview her during their investigation, per Sam Wallace in the Independent:

"

I was surprised to learn that the FA was allegedly investigating the incident of 8 August via the press. I was at no stage requested by the FA to make a statement.  I wonder whether this might be the only formal investigation in this country where the evidence of the individuals involved in the incident was not considered relevant. Choosing to ignore some of the evidence will surely influence the outcome of the findings. 

Last season I had a similar experience at a game at West Ham FC, where I was subject to verbal abuse.  Following complaints by the public, the FA produced a communication to the press saying there had been no sexist chanting during this game. At no time was I approached for a statement despite the fact that vile unacceptable, sexually explicit abuse was clearly heard.

It is incidents such as these‎ and the lack of support from the football authorities that make it so difficult for women in the game. I admire what Heather Rabbatts has done and thank her and friends and colleagues who have supported me at this very difficult time.

"

FA board member Heather Rabbatts was hugely critical of the decision to not pursue the Carneiro case and questioned the process involved in the investigation, per Sky Sports News HQ:

Mourinho has also come in for criticism from FA chairman Greg Dyke for failing to apologise to Carneiro, per BBC Sport.

Dyke suggested that the Portuguese manager should have cleared the air following the incident against Swansea that began the entire controversy.

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Mourinho labelled Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn "naive" for dashing onto the field late on against Swansea to treat Eden Hazard, leaving the Blues temporarily with nine men—Thibaut Courtois had been sent off—as the winger had to leave the pitch, per Sky Sports.

The 42-year-old doctor subsequently had her role downgraded at the club, and she lost her place on the bench on matchdays despite having followed General Medical Council protocol having been ushered onto the pitch by referee Michael Oliver, per the Independent's Sam Wallace. 

Carneiro has since left the club—she joined in 2009—and is clearly and rightly aggrieved at the way she has been treated by both Chelsea and the FA.