Private hearings in January and February took place without a resolution and it appears the case will proceed to the tribunal.
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Jose Mourinho will begin his new career at Old Trafford with an unwelcome public appearance alongside Eva Carneiro, the ex-doctor at Chelsea FC, who is bringing a case against the club and manager for incidents that happened when they were both working there.
The 42-year-old doctor was publicly criticised by Mourinho for running on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in the closing stages of Chelsea’s draw with Swansea City on the opening day of the season last August.
Afterwards he called Dr Carneiro and first team physio Jon Fearn “impulsive and naive”.
On August 10, Mourino allegedly told Steve Atkins, head of communications and PR at Chelsea, that he did not want Dr Carneiro on the bench the next match, adding: “She works in academy team or ladys (sic) team not with me”.
Dr Carneiro was dropped as Chelsea’s first-team doctor a year ago after then-manager Mourinho angrily berated her and physio Jon Fearn for going on to the pitch.
Chelsea and Mourinho claim that Carneiro has been offered her job back “on more than one occasion” since she left the club in September, and was also made an open offer of £1.2m to settle her claims, due to their assertion that “it is in no one’s interest that this dispute should be determined through litigation”.
“Filho da puta is a phrase I often use, all of the players know it”, he said.
But in his statement, Mourinho said he had been swearing in a general way throughout the game and denied any sexism.
O’Rourke also confirmed that Carneiro will not be seeking reinstatement to her former role at Stamford Bridge. There is no sexist connotation in the use of the phrase – it is just like saying “f*** off”.
However, Dr Carneiro alleges that Mourinho used the term “Filha da puta”, meaning “daughter of a bitch or whore”.
The tribunal was adjourned until 2pm on Tuesday so the panel could read the documents in the case.
But the Portuguese coach now faces at least a day being cross-examined by the legal team for Eva Carneiro, who is claiming constructive dismissal by Chelsea.
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The respondents claim Dr Carneiro was “preoccupied with developing her profile” and associating herself with the first team in a way discouraged by the club for backroom employees.
