Even though Jose Mourinho is not a part of Chelsea anymore yet his tenure at the helm made few non playing staff members angry and they have since been fighting for their demands for Portuguese’s treatment residing on the top club post. Eva Carneiro, 42, is one such team physiotherapist who left the club job last September for inhuman treatment offered to him by the club manager during the treatment of Eden Hazard in a league game. The incident has already been discussed lots of times, but what is new in the development is, Carneiro left the job and filed a case against both Chelsea and Jose Mourinho in the public employment tribunal with her allegations including unfair dismissal, detriment, direct sex discrimination, and sexual harassment while she was on the job. This is possibly one of its kind controversy in contemporary soccer since usually non playing staff is not supposed to raise voice against any top officer of the club but this time case is in front of the court of law that too involves manager of the club, hence it is obvious everyone would be interested in knowing its developments.
During the hearing of the case before the court, Chelsea and its former manager put their defense and denied of doing any wrong or unethical to the female staff including of course Carneiro. But legal team of sports medicine specialist is as well not willing to settle the issue as they have their own demands, like, (i) an increase in her basic salary of more than 40% (to £400,000); (ii) a severance payment of one year’s salary, should she suffer any harassment or her role be compromised; (iii) an extension of her notice period from three to six months; (iv) the benefit of a “structured, objective and robust” bonus scheme “to properly reward me for my contribution to the club’s success”; (v) external independent PR and legal advice to be paid for by Chelsea; (vi) an immediate return to her position on the bench; and (vii) a “substantial payment” in compensation for her distress.”
Moreover, in the opening note presented by the Carneiro’s legal team, they allege, “Rather than investigating and disciplining the bad employee, the employer allows the bad employee to confirm the demotion, both publicly and privately and to continue with his job. By comparison, the good employee’s demotion is confirmed and she is instructed to return to work and ‘build bridges’ with the bad employee.”
Looking at the allegations coming from both the sides a settlement seems to be far away even though Portuguese is no longer a part of North Londoners.