
Chelsea have apologised “unreservedly” to former team doctor Eva Carneiro after her case for constructive dismissal was settled privately on Wednesday.
Carneiro took her case to an employment tribunal, heard at a court in Croydon throughout this week, alleging constructive dismissal against Chelsea and victimisation and discrimination against former manager Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho branded her and head physio Jon Fearn “impulsive and naive” for entering the Stamford Bridge pitch to treat Eden Hazard in the closing stages of the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Swansea City in August.
A statement issued by Chelsea read: “Chelsea Football Club is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Dr Carneiro which brings her employment tribunal proceedings against the club and Jose Mourinho to an end.
“The club regrets the circumstances which led to Dr Carneiro leaving the club and apologises unreservedly to her and her family for the distress caused. We wish to place on record that in running onto the pitch Dr Carneiro was following both the rules of the game and fulfilling her responsibility to the players as a doctor, putting their safety first.
“Dr Carneiro has always put the interests of the club’s players first. Dr Carneiro is a highly competent and professional sports doctor. She was a valued member of the club’s medical team and we wish her every success in her future career.
“Jose Mourinho also thanks Dr Carneiro for the excellent and dedicated support she provided as First Team Doctor and he wishes her a successful career.”
Carneiro and Fearn were demoted from first-team duties in the wake of the incident, and Carneiro left Chelsea in September before initiating separate but connected legal proceedings against the club and Mourinho in November. Fearn remained at the club and returned to the Stamford Bridge bench for Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with West Ham in March.
Mourinho was cleared by the Football Association of making discriminatory comments towards Carneiro in September, two months before he was sacked by Chelsea for the second time in his career.
Private hearings between representatives of Carneiro, Chelsea and Mourinho took place in January and March at London South Employment Tribunal in Croydon but, with no settlement reached, the case went to a full public employment tribunal at the same venue.