The
FA has cleared Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho of making discriminatory
comments towards club doctor Eva Carneiro.
The pair were involved in a confrontation on the touchline towards the end
of the Blues' opening game of the season against Swansea.
Mourinho criticised Carneiro for going on to the pitch to treat midfielder
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, revealed
it "is satisfied that the words used do not constitute discriminatory
language under FA Rules".
In a statement, the FA said: "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
Chelsea's 2-2 Premier League draw against the Swans.
That meant they were temporarily down to nine men - goalkeeper Thibaut
Courtois had 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, born in Gibraltar to a Spanish
father and English mother, had parted company with the Blues.
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