SEVEN years ago, Eva Carneiro got in a row with Jose Mourinho while she was Chelsea physio.
She subsequently lost her job with the Blues, but was paid damages for her dismissal in court.
Eva Carneiro has moved on since her Chelsea scandal
Carneiro, posing with Lewes FC co-director Karen Dobres, now invests in the non-league side
Now, she is thriving in football once again – as an investor in non-league Lewes FC.
The Gibraltarian, 49, has also been working with the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar ahead of this month’s World Cup.
It completes a remarkable turn-around in fortunes for the doctor.
In 2015, then Chelsea boss Mourinho was left incensed when she ran onto the pitch with chief physio Jon Fearn to treat an injured Eden Hazard during a Premier League match with Swansea.
The Special One was livid that the match was interrupted in injury time, as Chelsea pushed for a winner.
“I wasn’t happy with my medical staff because even if you are a medical doctor or secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game,” he fumed at the final whistle.
Carneiro was banished by the club, and banned from attending training sessions or matches.
She left her role six weeks later, but took the club to court claiming constructive dismissal.
PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
The case was settled on the second day confidentially.
“I am relieved that today we have been able to conclude this tribunal case,” she said.
“It has been an extremely difficult and distressing time for me and my family and I now look forward to moving forward with my life.”
Desperate to move on, Carneiro began working as a private consultant at the Sports Medical Group in London.
She kept a low-profile, after being thrust into the limelight by the Blues.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Carneiro showed how she felt about the game.
“If I’m honest, it took me almost a year to be able to watch a football game. The final of the 2016 Champions League was the only game that I could sit down in front of last year,” she revealed.
- England vs Iran – all you need to know for Three Lions’ opener
- USA vs Wales – all the TV and live stream info for Dragons’ first World Cup match in 64 years
Her medical expertise, however, was needed by organisers of the Qatar World Cup.
She was tasked with developing programs for the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar, where players will be treated.
And last year, she would return to football as owner of Lewes FC – joining Judy and Andy Murray as an investor in the club.
She wanted to get involved with the non-league side after seeing their campaign called #CallHimOut – set up to highlight violence against women, as well as the men’s team tweeting they would call out misogynistic language if they heard any during games.
After visiting the Dripping Pan, and getting a snap with co-director Karen Lobres, she took to social media to announce her news.
She wrote: “Love the beautiful game. Imagine using its power for good. Imagine finding a club with values at the centre of its ethos. Imagine equal pay and equal facility and pitch access for men and women.
“It was a pleasure to attend a game at The Dripping Pan. The atmosphere was everything football should inspire.”
Jose Mourinho barks at Carneiro after she ran onto the pitch during a Chelsea game against Swansea to treat Eden Hazard
Carneiro received a pay out from Chelsea after two days in court
Ahead of the World Cup, Carneiro has also been working with a Qatar hospital
