FA's decision on Mourinho and Carneiro sends 'terrible message' - Rabbatts

Eva Carnerio (right) and Jon Fearn treated Eden Hazard in Chelsea's game with Swansea

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION'S handling of former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro's case is "seriously disappointing", claims one of its own board members.

Heather Rabbatts, an independent board member and the head of the FA's inclusion advisory board, hit out at the FA's disciplinary process into the case.
A complaint was made against Blues manager Jose Mourinho after his touchline rant directed at Carneiro during Chelsea's opening match of the season.

But it has emerged the FA, who cleared Mourinho of making discriminatory remarks towards Carneiro, did not even interview or ask the doctor for a witness statement.
"The FA's reaction to the treatment of Dr Eva Carneiro has been seriously disappointing," Rabbatts said.
"I have major concerns over the way in which the disciplinary process has been conducted and the lack of an organisational response to the wider issues raised by this case.

Carnerio (left) started out as Chelsea team doctor in 2009

"We had an announcement late yesterday relating to a high-profile incident which occurred on 8 August and yet it would appear that during that time no witnesses were requested to speak to the FA, including Dr Carneiro, and in the course of the investigation some media were reporting it was likely that no charge was to be brought."
Rabbatts added: "This is on top of a previous case when clear evidence of sexist and abusive chanting from groups of supporters against Dr Carneiro was apparently not seen as sufficient for a charge to be raised."
Carneiro lost her position on the Blues touchline after she and team physio Jon Fearn were reprimanded for treating Eden Hazard at the end of Chelsea's clash with Swansea.

Mourinho hit out at the pair for supposedly not understanding the game and Carneiro was banned from matches and first-team training.
Rabbatts is unhappy about the lack of support across football for Carneiro, who was also the target of sexist abuse from opposing fans.
"A highly respected medic, a woman at the top of her profession in football, has been mistreated, undermined, verbally abused and yet no-one apart from Dr Carneiro has faced significant consequences," Rabbatts said.

Jose Mourinho has escaped punishment from the FA

"In addition, the demotion of Dr Carneiro and her subsequent departure from Chelsea FC raises important issues which the club, the FA, the Premier League, the PFA and the LMA need to address.
"It is my view that the lack of support given to her as a medic and as a woman has resulted in her removal from the game.
"This is not only a personal tragedy but is a setback for player welfare and sends a terrible message to other medics and all those girls and women who aspire to play a role at the top level of professional football.
"I have shared these views with senior colleagues at the FA and hope that by speaking out all parties involved will be encouraged to take steps to support Dr Carneiro and ensure that real and serious lessons are learned for the future."