Women in Football "staggered" by FA investigation into Heather Rabbatts

The Women in Football organisation has claimed that it is shocked by the Football Association's decision to investigate board member Heather Rabbatts following her comments backing former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro.

Rabbatts criticised her colleagues for not asking Carneiro to give evidence in an FA case regarding Jose Mourinho's alleged offensive comments towards the doctor.

Carneiro left the club last month after she was publicly criticised by Mourinho and demoted from her matchday role for treating Eden Hazard on the pitch during a match in August while Chelsea were down to 10 men.

Reports emerged this week claiming that two members of the FA's council have called for an investigation into the comments made by Rabbatts, who could lose her job if found guilty of wrongdoing.

A statement from Women in Football read: "Women in Football (WiF) are staggered to learn that Heather Rabbatts will face an FA investigation into her comments regarding Dr Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn, following a request by FA Council members.

"In speaking out Rabbatts sought to highlight the injustice of a situation whereby a high profile manager attempted to prioritise results on the field of play over medical ethics, and ultimately a doctor with an unblemished record lost her job.

"Jose Mourinho's stance was universally condemned by medical organisations including the Football Medical Association, the Premier League Doctors Group, as well as FIFPro, and the PFA."

Mourinho has not yet commented on Carneiro's departure.