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Eva Carneiro: FA chairman Greg Dyke believes Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho should have apologised

Dyke's governing body has been criticised for its investigation of the incident

Agency
Friday 02 October 2015 07:33 BST
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FA chairman Dyke attending an England Under-21 game earlier this year
FA chairman Dyke attending an England Under-21 game earlier this year (Getty Images)

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho could again face questions over his treatment of former club doctor Eva Carneiro after Football Association chairman Greg Dyke criticised the Portuguese's handling of the incident.

Mourinho was earlier this week cleared of using discriminatory language towards Carneiro in Chelsea's opening Premier League game of the season against Swansea.

But Dyke said - in a letter to FA council members, a copy of which has been obtained by Press Association Sport - that Mourinho committed "a failure of his personal judgement and public behaviour".

Mourinho is due to conduct his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the clash with Southampton and may choose to respond to Dyke's assertions.

The letter was sent following Wednesday's FA board meeting, since when independent board member Heather Rabbatts launched a stinging attack on the FA for its "seriously disappointing" handling of the Carneiro case.

Dyke's letter makes clear his misgivings over Mourinho's behaviour. Carneiro was dropped from first-team duties after an incident on the opening day of the season when she was criticised by Mourinho for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard. She has since parted company with Chelsea.

Dyke says in the letter: "There have been some well-documented issues of late around equality and inclusion in the game, an issue where it is vital we continue to show clear leadership.

"I felt the handling of the case of the Chelsea doctor, Eva Carneiro, was a good example of this. We supported Heather Rabbatts' strong statement on the matter earlier in the month.

"Personally I don't think Mr Mourinho comes well out of the whole saga - he clearly made a mistake in the heat of a game, and should have said so and apologised.

"Instead he has said very little and Miss Carneiro has lost her job.

"Our regulatory team have investigated this and whilst Mr Mourinho has breached no rules it was clearly a failure of his personal judgement and public behaviour. This should be seen as such by the game."

Rabbatts, head of the FA's inclusion advisory board, said she had "major concerns" regarding the FA's disciplinary process which saw Mourinho cleared.

It has emerged that the FA did not ask to interview Carneiro, although it is understood it asked her lawyers if they wished to provide any evidence.

Rabbatts told Press Association Sport: "The FA's reaction to the treatment of Dr Eva Carneiro has been seriously disappointing. 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.

"We had an announcement late (on Wednesday) relating to a high-profile incident which occurred on August 8 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."

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