by Our Sports Desk

THE Football Medical Association confirmed yesterday that doctor Eva Carneiro has parted company with Chelsea and that her lawyers will be handling her case.

The FMA have been representing Carneiro in negotiations with Chelsea following Jose Mourinho’s public criticism of the doctor and physiotherapist Jon Fearn after they went onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in the dying minutes of Chelsea’s league opener against Swansea.

Both were subsequently dropped from first-team duties following the manager’s outburst in which he said: “I was unhappy with my medical staff. They were impulsive and naive.

“Whether you are a kit man, doctor or secretary on the bench you have to understand the game.”

A statement from the FMA read: “The FMA is extremely disappointed that Dr Eva Carneiro will not be resuming her full duties as first team doctor at Chelsea Football Club.

“As the representative body for medicine and science personnel in the professional game, the FMA aims to protect the rights of its members.

“Having recently been contacted by Eva, we have offered our full support in attempting to negotiate a satisfactory outcome.

“Unfortunately this has not resulted in our preferred outcome. Chelsea considers this now to be an internal matter and it is for Chelsea and Eva’s appointed lawyers to discuss any further action.”

The industry body said it will continue to support Carneiro and urged that priority must be given to protecting players’ safety, adding: “The FMA strongly believe that in matters pertaining to a player’s health and safety, respect for the integrity of the medical professional is paramount.

“The FMA will continue to offer support to Eva on a professional level through what is likely to be a difficult time.”

It is likely she will launch legal action claiming constructive dismissal.

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor also warned of the risk to players’ health if doctors feel any reluctance to enter the field following Carneiro’s departure.

He said: “The health and safety of our members is of paramount importance and the need, when required, for prompt assessment and treatment is critical in ensuring this.

“The player and the referee are the initial judges as to whether treatment is required and, the matter is then the responsibility of the highly qualified and trained medical staff.

“This protocol has worked successfully in past seasons and we can see no justifiable reason to move away from this.”

Football Association board member Heather Rabbatts, the chair of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, has expressed her “anger and sadness” at news of Carneiro’s departure from the club.

Chelsea said they could not comment on internal staffing matters.