FIFA's chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak has come to the defence of Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro after manager Jose Mourinho reportedly axed her from this Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester City.
The Portuguese coach was unhappy with his medical staff after they ran onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard while his side were down to 10 men in last weekend's 2-2 draw against Swansea City.
As a result, Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn will be absent from the dugout when the Blues take on Man City at the Etihad Stadium at the weekend.
"In medical aspects, the manager has nothing to say," The Express quotes Dvorak as saying. "It is our ethical duty to look after the players' health.
"I cannot see such a situation [when the manager tells the medical team not to go on the pitch] and we have to defend the position of the doctor. When to come on is the sole decision of the doctor and we at FIFA will always endorse that."
Many have come out in support of Carneiro, who expressed her gratitude on Facebook following Mourinho's outburst.
Danielle Joynson
