Eva Carneiro tribunal: Jose Mourinho to be quizzed over swearing as use of Portuguese insults is revealed

Eva Carneiro arrives for the tribunal in Croydon
Anthony Devlin/PA
David Churchill6 June 2016

Jose Mourinho is set to be quizzed over his swearing when he appears at an employment tribunal brought by former Chelsea FC first-team doctor Eva Carneiro.

Dr Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and has a separate, but connected, personal legal action against Mourinho for alleged victimisation and discrimination.

She was criticised by Mourinho and dropped from first-team duties after she went on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during a draw with Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League season last August.

Today’s tribunal heard there is a dispute between Mourinho and Dr Carneiro over what he said to her on the pitch.

Swearing admission: Jose Mourinho 
Ian Walton/Getty Images

The panel was read an extract from Mourinho’s statement in which he concedes that he used the Portuguese term “filho da puta”, meaning “son of of a bitch or whore”, but that he had been using it throughout the match.

He said: “Filho da puta is a phrase I often use, all of the players know it. There is no sexist connotation in the use of the phrase - it is just like saying ‘f*** off’.

“In the world of football, a lot of swear words are used.”

He added that Cesc Fabregas had also used the Spanish equivalent of the term when a Chelsea player was fouled during the game.

Former team doctor: Eva Carneiro with Mourinho (Michael Zemanek/BPI/Rex)
Michael Zemanek/BPI/Rex Features

In his statement, Mourinho said: “Cesc and I both speak English well, but in the heat of the game we both swear in our mother language.

“Eva was not on the pitch at that point in time.”

However, Dr Carneiro alleges that Mourinho used the term “filha da puta”, meaning “daughter of a bitch or whore”.

Mary O’Rourke QC, for the claimant, said: “He uses the word ‘filha’ because he is abusing a woman.”

Tribunal claims: Former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro and her husband Jason De Carteret 
Frank Augstein/AP

Daniel Stilitz, representing Chelsea and Mourinho, said: “These Portuguese swear words need to be in the context and need to be understood in the general way in which the second representative (Mourinho) used it.”

He said an expert in Portuguese swear words had been drafted in to interpret words alleged to have been said by Mourinho and a number of clips will need to be reveiwed by the tribunal.

The case, which is anticipated to be heard over seven to 10 days, is set to hear evidence from the 42-year-old doctor tomorrow afternoon.

The tribunal heard that Dr Carneiro is expected to be questioned over two and a half days.

Mourinho, who is now the Manchester United manager, will appear at the tribunal later.

Preliminary matters in the case were dealt with this morning after the parties failed to agree a settlement which would have prevented a public hearing.

Dr Carneiro arrived at the London South Employment Tribunal in Croydon in a powder blue coat and and cream dress, holding hands with her husband, polar explorer Jason De Carteret.

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