Eva Carneiro has called on José Mourinho to make a public apology to the former Chelsea team doctor as part of a settlement in her employment case.
Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and has a separate personal legal action against the former manager Mourinho, who left the club in December, for alleged victimisation and discrimination.
She arrived for a private employment tribunal in Croydon on Monday along with her legal team and her husband, the polar explorer Jason De Carteret.
Her barrister, Mary O’Rourke QC, told ITV News: “We’re not expecting a resolution today. The two sides are so far apart financially. And we want Mr Mourinho to make a public apology.” ITV said Carneiro was claiming “substantial damages”.
She was criticised by Mourinho and dropped from first-team duties following the draw with Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League season last August.
Any settlement proposed by the judge must be agreeable to Carneiro, Chelsea and Mourinho, otherwise the case would be scheduled to proceed to an employment tribunal which would be heard in public on 6 June.
Witness statements and documents, including texts and emails, are likely to be made public, while Carneiro, Mourinho and representatives from Chelsea could be called to appear as witnesses.
That could be difficult for Mourinho, who is keen to return to management and has been linked with a move to Manchester United, with Louis van Gaal’s position under scrutiny.
However, there is also the prospect that Chelsea, who have refused to comment on the proceedings, and Mourinho could settle the case at any time. Carneiro in January appeared at a tribunal hearing for three hours, but no settlement was reached.
The 42-year-old doctor was dropped from first-team duties after then-Chelsea manager Mourinho criticised her and the first-team physio Jon Fearn for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard on the opening day of the season.
The action meant that Chelsea were temporarily down to nine men against Swansea, and afterwards Mourinho called Carneiro and Fearn “impulsive and naive”.
Carneiro did not appear on the bench again for first-team duties and later parted company with the club.
Mourinho was cleared of using discriminatory language towards Carneiro following an investigation by the Football Association.
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