Eva Carneiro row: Chelsea winger Eden Hazard could be called upon as witness in ex-team doctor's case against club
The Belgian player will be asked whether or not he requested medical attention during the club's draw with Swansea City
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Your support makes all the difference.Eden Hazard is set to be called as one of Eva Carneiro’s star witnesses when her claim against Chelsea for constructive dismissal is heard next year.
The former team doctor left her role at Stamford Bridge after manager Jose Mourinho publicly criticised her for rushing onto the field to treat the Belgian winger during the club’s draw with Swansea City in August.
The Chelsea manager felt that Carneiro’s intervention, alongside club physiotherapist Jon Fearn, was “impulsive and naïve” as it left his side briefly down to nine men in the game’s final minutes, following the earlier dismissal of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
If called upon, Hazard would be asked to confirm whether he asked match referee Michael Olivier for medical attention before Carneiro and Fearn entered the field of play.
Television footage appeared to show the 24-year-old appealing for help but only Hazard is able to confirm that any conversation took place.
The Belgian, who won both the Professional Footballers Association’s and the Football Writers’ Association’s player of the year awards last season, is reportedly reluctant to involve himself in the case but could be compelled to give evidence at the tribunal stage.
Carneiro was relieved of her first team duties following the incident and subsequently did not report for work, claiming her position was untenable.
The Gibraltar-born medical specialist formally left the club last month. Having failed to agree a severance package with Chelsea, she is now bringing a claim for constructive dismissal against the club.
A hearing, conducted in public, will take place if no out-of-court settlement can be reached between the two parties.
Carneiro is also expected to file a separate but connected claim against Mourinho personally, which would mean that the Chelsea manager would have to appear in person at a tribunal.
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