Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro is considering taking legal action against the club after reportedly stepping down from her post, six weeks after she was criticised for being "naive" by club manager Jose Mourinho, during an English Premier League game this season.
The 42-year-old Gibraltar-born British sports medicine specialist has reportedly been seeking advice from a London law firm over the past few weeks, and is considering her legal options, according to the BBC.
Carneiro, along with Chelsea physio Jon Fearn, administered treatment to Eden Hazard after the forward picked up a knock in the closing stages of Chelsea's 2-2 draw against Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League this season.
Chelsea were temporarily reduced to nine men as the duo rushed to the field for treatment, and the action attracted the wrath of Mourinho, who called both Fearn and Carneiro as impulsive and naive and lacking in football knowledge.
Carneiro, who joined Chelsea in 2009, was due to return to work last Friday, after having been told that she was no longer needed to attend training sessions, matches or even enter the team hotel.
Heather Rabbatts, the FA's only female board member, has lent her support to Carneiro and explained that it was shameful that she had to face such harassment for just doing her job.
"Her departure raises a serious question on how players are safeguarded if their medical support is compromised," said Rabbatts.
"The footage of the abuse she has endured in silence from the stands during her career is something we should all be ashamed of.
"I hope that Eva's own situation can be resolved quickly and positively and that she will be able to continue to work in a senior position within the game."
Meanwhile, the 'Women in Football' group said Carneiro was highly respected and it is a warning sign for the small number of female medical staff working in football.
"We believe it is appalling that her professionalism and understanding of football were subsequently called into question by manager Jose Mourinho and it threatened to undermine her professional reputation," said a spokesperson from the group.
"We also believe that Dr Carneiro's treatment and ultimate departure from Chelsea FC sends out a worrying and alienating message to the already small numbers of female medical staff working in the national game."
