Former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro "was poised to be handed a new weapon in her legal battle with Chelsea" and Jose Mourinho on Monday as FIFA prepared to "outlaw managers interfering in medical matters," according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. FIFA Medical Committee Chair Michel D'Hooghe on Saturday confirmed new rules on the treatment of players "were on the agenda for its meeting on Monday, and they could be ratified by the end of the week." The change "could provide a boost to Carneiro’s constructive dismissal and sex discrimination claim against Chelsea and Mourinho," which last week saw the parties fail to agree to a settlement at an employment tribunal in London. Carneiro is suing the club and Mourinho, who banished her from the bench after she treated Eden Hazard against Swansea City on the opening day of the Premier League season. Carneiro was "subsequently exonerated by every relevant footballing and medical authority," including qualified doctor D’Hooghe, who said in September that he would look at introducing a code of ethics governing the treatment of players. Confirming that he would present his proposals to the medical committee on Monday, he said, "It is clear that when a player is injured on the field, there is only one person who can judge if he needs treatment -- and that is the doctor." Asked whether anyone interfering in that process "would face disciplinary action in future," he replied, "A rule without sanction is not a rule" (TELEGRAPH, 3/12).
