Dr Eva Carneiro has left Chelsea.
Dr Carneiro has not appeared on the first-team bench since the opening day draw against Swansea, where she was involved in a row with manager Jose Mourinho after rushing onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard late in the game.
The Football Association are investigating a complaint that Mourinho used abusive, sexist language towards Dr Carneiro, The Independent revealed last week.
Chelsea ordered Carneiro to return to work last Friday for the first time since the Swansea draw on 8 August; but she failed to show and has not been seen since. Mourinho called her 'naive' in a press conference following the match.
Carneiro, 42, is consulting legal advice.
Under the FA rule E3, players and coaches can be penalised for using “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”. With an aggravated breach, in this case potentially with reference to gender, a five-match ban is the minimum punishment.
The FA was responding to a complaint made to them by a member of the public in the last few days, as it is duty-bound to do.
In footage of the incident subsequently broadcast by Sky Sports, Mourinho could be seen shouting angrily while he was observing Carneiro and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn from the touchline. Mourinho then had a subsequent exchange with Carneiro, a native Spanish speaking, Gibraltar-born medic, as she came down the touchline to return to her seat. Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0 player ratings
In a statement the FA said: “The FA has received an enquiry relating to an alleged incident during the Premier League fixture between Swansea v Chelsea on 8 August, and will make no further comment at this time.”
