Hazard could testify against Chelsea

Chelsea fear Eden Hazard will be called as one of Eva Carneiro’s star witnesses when her claim against the club for constructive dismissal is heard next year.

Chelsea fear Eden Hazard will be called as one of Eva Carneiro’s star witnesses when her claim against the club for constructive dismissal is heard next year.

The former Chelsea doctor quit her role at the club after Jose Mourinho publicly criticised her handling of Hazard’s injury in the final minutes of the 2-2 draw with Swansea City on August 8.

Although Hazard is reluctant to get involved in the case, the Chelsea winger can be compelled to give evidence at an employment tribunal.

It means Hazard would have to confirm whether or not he asked referee Michael Oliver for treatment before Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn raced on to the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

Television footage of the incident appeared to show Hazard asking for medical attention, but the Chelsea winger is the only person who can confirm that this conversation took place.

Mourinho called the club’s medical staff ‘impulsive and naive’ after the incident that left Chelsea briefly down to nine men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Chelsea’s manager is also expected to be subject to an individual claim by Carneiro as part of a tactical ploy that would also force Mourinho to give evidence at the tribunal.

The club have refused to comment on any aspect of the case and it is also believed that Mourinho, who has refused to comment publicly on the case, will drop a bombshell in his defence if the case ever reaches court.

Carneiro claims her position at the club was made untenable following Mourinho’s post-match comments and she has failed to reach a financial settlement with Chelsea.

That triggered last week’s decision to serve formal notice on Chelsea’s legal team that she intends to resolve the matter at an employment hearing.

Carneiro was taken off first- team duties immediately after the Swansea game.

Chelsea are currently drafting their response, known as an ET3 form, and this will be submitted after Mourinho has given a statement to the club’s legal team.

Unless Chelsea can settle with Carneiro in the interim, the procedural hearing will set a timetable that is expected to result in a tribunal hearing being scheduled towards the end of the season.

Mourinho has already been cleared by an FA investigation, which looked into claims he used discriminatory language during his exchange with Carneiro. – Daily Mail