Eva Carneiro tribunal: Jose Mourinho and former Chelsea doctor agree settlement after controversial departure

Carneiro was claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and pursuing a separate legal case against Mourinho for alleged victimisation and sexual discrimination

Dr Eva Carneiro has reached a confidential agreement with Jose Mourinho and Chelsea to settle the employment tribunal regarding her departure from the Premier League club last September.

A statement titled “Chelsea Football Club announcement” appeared on the club’s official website immediately after news of the settlement was revealed, in which the Premier League outfit apologised “unreservedly to her and her family for the distress caused”.

It 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 released a statement of her own shortly afterwards, in which she admitted that the ordeal had been both “extremely difficult and distressing” to deal with for her and her loved ones.

“I am relieved that today we have been able to conclude this tribunal case. It has been an extremely difficult and distressing time for me and my family and I now look forward to moving forward with my life.

“My priority has always been the health and safety of the players and fulfilling my duty of care as a doctor. In running onto the pitch to treat a player, who requested medical attention, I was following the rules of the game and fulfilling my medical responsibilities.

Jose Mourinho and Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck leave Croydon Employment Tribunal (Getty)

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me including my husband, family and friends and members of the football community.”

It emerged on Monday that Carneiro had rejected a £1.2m payment from Chelsea to settle the tribunal along with taking her job back, with both parties submitting their skeleton arguments on the opening day of the hearing at Montague Employment Tribunal Court in Croydon.

Mourinho was seen shouting at Carneiro as she returned to the dugout (Reuters)

Carneiro arrived for the second day of the tribunal, but after Mourinho unexpectedly appeared alongside the Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck, and head of communications and public affairs, Steve Atkins, a delay to the tribunal start time was announced.

It was soon revealed that the mysterious delay to the hearing was caused by the three parties discussing a settlement package, which was agreed upon by Carneiro, Chelsea and Mourinho.