Mourinho off FA hook in Carneiro verbal-abuse case

LONDON • Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will face no disciplinary action by the English Football Association after the governing body cleared him of using "discriminatory language" towards then club doctor Eva Carneiro.

Carneiro and physiotherapist Jon Fearn were rebuked by Mourinho for treating Eden Hazard in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. The move temporarily left the English champions with nine players on the field.

Carneiro, 42, was removed from match-day duties last month and has since left the London club.

Her treatment led to widespread criticism of Mourinho, amid allegations that he had verbally abused her on the touchline during the Swansea match while speaking in his native Portuguese.

He had previously denied that he said "filho da puta" or "daughter of a whore". And the FA, which consulted an "independent academic expert in Portuguese", said on Wednesday that it was "satisfied that the words used do not constitute discriminatory language" under its rules.

Mourinho, however, has other problems to resolve.

Concern is growing within the Chelsea dressing room at the perceived scapegoating of certain players by the manager after their desperately poor start to the season.

The decision not to take Oscar and Loic Remy to Porto in midweek for a Champions League tie, and continued absence of club captain John Terry from the starting XI, are understood to have surprised senior squad members.

Terry's omission is drawing focus, particularly as faith has been retained in Branislav Ivanovic, the vice-captain who has worn the armband of late despite his poor performances.

The Serb has sat out only one game - the win over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Terry, in contrast, has started only the League Cup win at Walsall of the team's past five fixtures, and was an unused substitute in the Porto defeat. He conducted a solo warm-down in front of the visiting fans and was serenaded with a chorus of "We want our captain back".

The 34-year-old played every minute of last season's Premier League campaign and is adamant he will fight to regain his place, with the manager having consistently stressed the esteem in which he holds the centre-half.

It remains to be seen whether Terry, who signed a 12-month contract this year, is restored for tomorrow's game against Southampton.

Chelsea have conceded at least twice in seven of their 10 competitive fixtures this season.

Diego Costa will miss the visit of the Saints as he finishes a three-match domestic ban.

"It's not a good moment now and we must do more," said the striker.

"We have a good squad with a great deal of quality. We have maybe lost some confidence but the manager knows the strengths of his team. To come out of this, we need to be all together, and for everyone to give a little more."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 02, 2015, with the headline Mourinho off FA hook in Carneiro verbal-abuse case. Subscribe