Chelsea, Mourinho and Dr Carneiro set to face full tribunal

Football manager Jose Mourinho and his former club Chelsea appear to be heading for a public employment tribunal after lawyers failed to reach a settlement with ex-team doctor Eva Carneiro.

Dr Carneiro, 42, was criticised by former Chelsea manager Mourinho and dropped from first-team duties after she went on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during a draw with Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League season last August.

She is suing Chelsea for constructive dismissal and has a separate personal legal action against Mourinho, who left the club in December, for alleged victimisation and discrimination.

After yesterday’s private hearing at the London South Employment Tribunal, Dr Carneiro’s barrister Mary O’Rourke QC refused to be drawn on whether a deal had been reached, saying: “Mediation proceedings are confidential.”

Dr Carneiro refused to speak to the media as she left the employment tribunal building in Croydon accompanied by her husband, polar explorer Jason De Carteret, but shook her head briefly when asked if a resolution had been reached.

Lawyers for the three parties are believed to have failed to reach a financial deal during a private hearing that lasted around six-and-a-half hours, meaning the case is now likely to go to a full employment tribunal, expected to be held in June.

That would be held in public and could see Mourinho, Dr Carneiro and representatives from Chelsea called to appear as witnesses.

The former Chelsea boss was not present at the hearing.