A former doctor at Chelsea Football Club, Eva Carneiro, has begun her private employment tribunal hearing against her dismissal which she deems to be unfair. The tribunal offers the football club the last chance to reach a settlement with Carneiro before a public hearing in June.
As well as having an unfair dismissal against the current Premier League champions, the doctor also has a claim against the manager at the time of her termination, Jose Mourinho.
Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea citing alleged victimisation and discrimination.
The incident which eventually led to her being forced from the club came on the opening day of the current Premier League season. After a player had suffered a head injury, Carneiro ran onto the pitch to treat him, angering Mourinho, who wanted to continue to play despite the injury.
Her presence on the pitch and the treatment of the player led to a touchline spat between the two. As a result of the dispute, Carneiro was banned from attending the ground on matchday and also banned from all first team affairs by Mourinho. As a result, she claims she was effectively ushered from the club. Critics stated that had Carneiro not gone on the pitch to treat the player she could have been dismissed for failing to act on her medical oath.
