Reports: Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro to be axed from bench

Eva Carneiro has been Chelsea’s assistant medical director since 2011

Eva Carneiro might not feature on the Chelsea bench anymore for the rest of the season after her role was changed by Jose Mourinho, according to The Telegraph. The assistant medical director was publicly criticised by Mourinho for attending to Eden Hazard during the stoppage time of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Swansea City in the Premier League.

Carneiro is one of several members of Mourinho’s staff who have been given new roles, as he continues to shuffle up his backroom staff ahead of the new season. She will retain her role as the Chelsea first-team doctor and will be allowed work with the first-team players at the Cobham training ground from now on, but will be denied access to training sessions, games and the team hotel.

Although it is unclear whether the 41-year-old will continue, she is not expected to be on the bench for the Blues’ next Premier League fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Mourinho had bashed his medical staff about their handling of the Eden Hazard incident in a press conference, whilst also suggesting that Eva Carneiro didn’t understand the game.

"I wasn't happy with my medical staff because even if you are a medical doctor or secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game," the Portuguese tactician said, according to ESPN.

"If you go to the pitch to assist a player, then you must be sure that a player has a serious problem. I was sure that Eden didn't have a serious problem. He had a knock and was very tired.

"My medical department left me with eight fit outfield players in a counter-attack after a set piece and we were worried we didn't have enough players left."

Gibraltar-born Carneiro received a lot of support from fans on social media following Mourinho’s jibe, and she responded to them by thanking them for their support during the harsh situation.

“I would like to thank the general public for their overwhelming support. Really very much appreciated.” she wrote on her official Facebook page.

Mourinho has always cribbed about the current Chelsea medical department despite the team’s excellent injury record last season, although this wasn’t the first time he has clashed with a Chelsea doctor. In 2005, he managed to get rid of Neil Frazer after the two had a dispute about Arjen Robben’s fitness.

Carneiro has been an ever-present figure on the Chelsea bench ever since she got promoted to her current role by Andre Vilas Boas in 2011, and is one of the few women to be involved in a Premier League first-team setup.