by Our Sports Desk

THE Premier League Doctors Group has said safeguards need to be in place for team doctors treating players on the pitch following Eva Carneiro’s departure from Chelsea.

Carneiro has parted company with Chelsea in the wake of the incident on the opening day of the season when she was criticised by manager Jose Mourinho for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard.

She was removed from first-team duties and it is understood to be likely that she will launch a claim for constructive dismissal.

Dr Mark Gillett, chair of the Premier League Doctors Group, said her departure had been greeted with sadness and regret by her colleagues, and that the incident highlighted the need for safeguards and clarification of the role.

Gillett, who is director of performance at West Brom, said: “The news that Dr Eva Carneiro has left her position as first-team doctor at Chelsea has been received by (fellow doctors) with great sadness and considerable regret.

“She has continued to display the highest standards of professional conduct and personal integrity throughout an extremely challenging period.

“This incident and the media attention given to it highlights the need to clarify and safeguard the doctor-patient relationship that exists between Premier League doctors and players.”

Gillett said that the doctors would make plain to clubs and league officials that they would give players “the highest standards of assessment and treatment … irrespective of any match situation.”

Mourinho attacked Carneiro and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn for doing their jobs as for a short while Chelsea were reduced to nine men, with Thibaut Courtois sent off.