Jose Mourinho escapes FA action over Eva Carneiro incident

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will face no action after the Football Association cleared him of making discriminatory comments towards then club doctor Eva Carneiro.

The pair had a fiery confrontation on the touchline towards the end of the Blues’ opening game of the season against Swansea, with Mourinho afterwards criticising Carneiro for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard. Carneiro has since parted company with the club.

There had been suggestions Mourinho had used abusive language towards Carneiro but the FA, after analysing audio footage of the incident, announced it “is satisfied that the words used do not constitute discriminatory language under FA Rules”.

The FA said in a statement: ``Following information brought to the attention of the FA regarding Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and alleged discriminatory comments made in the Premier League fixture between Swansea and Chelsea on 8 August, The FA has now concluded an investigation into the matter.

“The matter was brought to the attention of the FA on 8 September and led to the appointment of an independent academic expert in Portuguese linguistics to analyse the footage of the incident which included the audio recording.

“After receiving the report from the expert, the FA is satisfied that the words used do not constitute discriminatory language under FA Rules. Furthermore, both the words used, as translated and analysed by the independent expert, and the video evidence, do not support the conclusion that the words were directed at any person in particular. Consequently, on the evidence available to it, the FA will take no further action in relation to this matter.”

Mourinho was upset with Carneiro and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn for entering the field of play to treat Hazard in the closing stages of the Blues’ 2-2 Premier League draw against the Swans.

That meant the Blues were temporarily down to nine men – goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ahead already been sent off – after Hazard left the field, and although the incident did not have an impact on the result Carneiro and Fearn were criticised for being “impulsive and naive” by Mourinho.

The Portuguese’s comments attracted plenty of scorn, but the 52-year-old was unrepentant and earned further condemnation when it was announced Carneiro would no longer attend club matches or training sessions.

Earlier this month it was announced Carneiro had parted company with the Blues and it is understood likely she will launch legal action claiming constructive dismissal.