Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro considers legal action after leaving post

Chelsea Football Club’s doctor, Eva Carneiro, is believed to have left her job and is preparing to sue the Premier League champions for constructive dismissal following an incident during the game against Swansea last month that led to her first-team duties downgraded at the request of the manager, José Mourinho.

Carneiro was due to return to work last Friday having been told she was no longer to attend training sessions, matches or enter the team hotel after provoking Mourinho’s anger when she and the physiotherapist, Jon Fearn, ran on to treat Eden Hazard during injury-time of the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on 8 August.

However, it is understood that she has not been seen at the club’s training ground and is now considering her legal position. Chelsea have so far declined to comment on what they described as “an internal staffing matter”.

Gibraltar-born Carneiro is reported to have sought advice from a London law firm over the past few weeks, although they too refused to comment on Tuesday. But she is likely to have a strong case given that she and Fearn were twice waved on to the pitch by referee Michael Oliver to treat Hazard, causing Mourinho to accuse the medics of being “naive”.

Employment law expert Nick Wilcox told the Guardian last month that Mourinho’s public criticism of Carneiro – which was condemned by the Premier League Doctors’ Group – appears “disproportionate” and could amount to “public humiliation” which breaches Chelsea’s duties as her employer. He pointed to the law governing employment relationships, which says: “The employer must not, without reasonable and proper cause, conduct itself in a manner calculated and likely to destroy or seriously damage the relationship of trust and confidence between employer and employee.”

Last week the Football Association confirmed it is investigating a complaint that Mourinho used abusive language during the incident. Under rule E3, players and coaches can be penalised for using “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”, with Mourinho facing up to a five-match ban if he is found guilty.

“We understand that the manager allegedly calls Eva ‘Filha da Puta’ at pitchside,” read the complaint, according to the Daily Mail. “The abuse is allegedly directed to her because ‘Filha’ is feminine and singular in Portuguese and to be directed at a man or at a group of people would have to be ‘Filho’ or ‘Filhos’. Additionally it could be considered that the offensive comment was aimed at the club doctor specifically as she speaks Portuguese... the equivalent to this expression in English would be ‘son of a bitch’ in the masculine, but ‘daughter of a whore’ in the feminine.”

Mourinho has denied the accusation.

The chair of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, Heather Rabbatts, has expressed her “sadness and anger” at news of Carneiro’s departure. “Eva was one of the few very senior women in the game, a highly respected doctor who has acted with professional integrity in difficult circumstances and whose skills have been highly praised,” she said.

A spokesperson for Women in Football added: “We are bitterly disappointed about the departure of Dr Eva Carneiro from Chelsea FC. When Dr Carneiro entered the field of play on August 8th to treat Eden Hazard - who had requested medical attention via the referee - she fully complied with the laws of the game as well as the guidance of the General Medical Council.

“We believe it is appalling that her professionalism and understanding of football were subsequently called into question by manager José Mourinho and it threatened to undermine her professional reputation. She is extremely highly regarded within the medical profession and the football industry.

“Mr Mourinho’s touchline and post-match behaviour that day is currently the subject of a Football Association investigation. This incident and Dr Carneiro’s subsequent demotion has made her position untenable.

“She had already been the target of frequent sexist abuse from opposition supporters. We believe that every woman in the football industry has the right to go about their working lives without being targeted with or subjected to abuse.

“We also believe that Dr Carneiro’s treatment and ultimate departure from Chelsea FC sends out a worrying and alienating message to the already small numbers of female medical staff working in the national game.

“WiF hope that by working with football authorities and clubs we can bring about a greater understanding of the barriers that women in the industry routinely face.”

Wayne Rooney: I’ll never turn down England unless my body gives up

Speaking before the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland, Wayne Rooney said: ‘I’d be disappointed if I ended my England career on 50 goals. I want to score as many as I can.’ Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Wayne Rooney has said he will always be available to England, insisting it will be up to the manager to call time eventually on his international career, as he seeks to establish a new national goalscoring record which endures for generations.

The Manchester United striker will move clear of Sir Bobby Charlton at the top of the national team’s scoring charts, and become the 44th player with 50 goals for his country, if he registers against Switzerland on Tuesday. Rooney, who also suggested he had made his peace with Sir Alex Ferguson after the breakdown of their relationship towards the end of the Scot’s tenure at Old Trafford, believes he has an active role to play with the England team through to the 2018 World Cup and, potentially, beyond.

“I feel I’ve got still quite a lot of games left to play for England,” said the striker. “If I was sat here saying ‘I just want to get 50 goals’, then I’d be lying. I’d be disappointed if I ended my England career on 50 goals. I want to kick on and try to score as many goals as I can. I’ve still got plenty of games to do that. Hopefully by the time I finish playing it will be more goals than 50. As long as the manager wants me, then I will be available to play.

“Realistically 2018 is a target for me, to go and play that World Cup, and then we will see what happens in terms of the manager or myself. I’ll listen to my body but, if I still feel 100% fit for England and I can do my job, then we will see what happens after that.

“If I feel I can carry on, I’ll try. But I won’t be one to say I’m not available for selection. I’m sure it’ll probably be the manager’s choice more than mine. It’s a huge honour to play for England and I imagine it’ll be difficult to say I’m ready not to play.”

Rooney admitted there had been “differences” of opinion with Ferguson back in 2013-14, the manager’s last season at United, with their relationship having deteriorated after the striker was played out of position following Robin van Persie’s arrival at the club. He was omitted from the second leg of a Champions League knockout tie against Real Madrid and subsequently made clear his desire to leave Old Trafford, a reality made public by Sir Alex before his final home game in charge. Chelsea attempted to sign him that summer before the player opted instead to sign a new long-term deal worth £300,000 a week.

“We had differences [of opinion] but that’s normal,” said Rooney. “Ask Roy [Hodgson]. He’s had differences with players over the years, too. That’s part of football. I’m not the only person who had differences with Sir Alex Ferguson but I can still sit here and say he was the greatest manager of all time.

“I still see Sir Alex quite a bit at games and he travels away to European games with us. It’s not that we don’t like each other. We just had differences. That’s normal.”

Hodgson will recall Raheem Sterling, Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling, all of whom missed the 6-0 win in San Marino last Saturday which confirmed Englandas the first side to qualify for Euro 2016 from the groups, but the manager has lost Michael Carrick with a calf injury which he sustained in the warm-up in Serravalle.

“It’s a major blow, not only to us but to Michael, who was looking forward to coming back,” said the manager, who has been able to start a game with the Manchester United midfielder only once in almost two years. “I hope it won’t be a recurring injury but it’s not the time to make a judgment. He might get over this very quickly and go on to play a big part for United and hardly miss a game.”

Nathaniel Clyne is expected to retain his place at right-back, with John Stones dropping to the bench.

England’s preparations for the tournament will include a friendly against Spain on 13 November – four days before the visit of France to Wembley – in Alicante’s 30,000 capacity José Rico Pérez stadium if the holders do not require a play-off to qualify for the tournament. The Football Association has lined up another high-profile game against Germany in Berlin and will also play Holland next March.

Manchester City maintain perfect start with hard-earned win at Everton

For once it was not hyperbole from Roberto Martínez when he previewed Manchester City’s arrival at Goodison Park and declared Manuel Pellegrini’s team had announced their championship credentials after two games. The argument remains persuasive after three.

Samir Nasri is congratulated by Manchester City team-mates after scoring his side’s second goal at Everton. Photograph: Andrew Yates/Reuters

City maintained their flawless start to the campaign with another display of defensive solidity and attacking ingenuity polished by fine second-half goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri.

Everton posed Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala greater problems than West Bromwich Albion or Chelsea managed previously but they found the solutions, reducing the impact of Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku as the game wore on to record a third consecutive clean sheet. The hosts also worked tirelessly to contain David Silva’s influence and prevent Sergio Agüero devastating their defence as he did John Terry and co the previous weekend.

Again City’s class told with Raheem Sterling and Yaya Touré producing superb assists for the goals. Crucially, given last term’s indifferent title defence, their appetite to fight for every second ball, every challenge and every point was equally impressive. Agüero typified the industry by dispossessing Gareth Barry in central midfieldto the delight of the travelling support. It is very early days, of course, but City already appear a level apart. Sterling has settled in a manner few who witnessed his final months at Liverpool would have anticipated while Mangala looks more assured than at any point in his brief Premier League career. The prospect of more to come is an ominous signal to their rivals.

This was an absorbing affair that demonstrated the early-season promise of both sides, although only the visitors could sustain it. Everton were pinned back frequently and had to be patient without the ball as City, through the mesmerising double act of Silva and Agüero, wove their intricate patterns on the edge of the home penalty area. Yet Tim Howard, Phil Jagielka and the focused John Stones held firm for an hour and, as in the 3-0 win at Southampton last weekend, Martínez’s side carried a potent threat on the counterattack. Tom Cleverley’s quick feet and thinking allied to Aroune Koné’s tireless running ensured Lukaku was not the only preoccupation for City’s diligent defence.

Agüero began in the same menacing fashion that broke Chelsea last Sunday. Only 80 seconds had elapsed when he forced Howard to save with his legs with a blistering shot from a tight angle. He was again denied by the Everton goalkeeper after peeling away from Jagielka to meet an inviting cross from Jesús Navas with another low drive. Howard also saved from Silva and saw Sterling just miss the Spaniard’s pass across the face of goal, and all before Everton had orchestrated an attack of their own.

Barkley posed the first test to Joe Hart and was instrumental in carrying the game to City whenever Everton broke. The England international’s confidence appears visibly improved after two goals in the opening two games of the season and it was his pass that led to Lukaku sidestepping Hart and converting past two City defenders on the goal line. Unfortunately for the Belgium international, an eagle-eyed assistant referee spotted he was fractionally offside. Seamus Coleman went close, Barkley wastefully skied a dangerous free-kick from 20 yards and Lukaku shaved the crossbar with another set-piece attempt with Hart rooted to the spot.

Pellegrini’s team controlled much of the contest despite Touré being in evident discomfort. The Ivory Coast international required lengthy treatment to his groin in the warm-up and was restricted in his movement – though not his touch – throughout. But in Navas and particularly Sterling, afforded the inevitable Liverpool-ex reception by the Everton faithful, City had the pace to penetrate and force the home defence deep.

The former Anfield man made an influential mark on his Merseyside return. With an hour gone City turned the tables on Everton and hit on the counter. Agüero released Sterling down the left and the winger waited for Stones to commit himself in the area before rolling a perfectly weighted pass into the overlapping Kolarov on his blind side. The left-back, played onside by Jagielka, shaped to cross but steered a fine finish inside Howard’s near post instead. The USA international was beaten far too easily for both City goals.

But for a brief flurry, when Vincent Kompany cleared off the line from a Barry header, Everton failed to produce a convincing response. The game was settled with two minutes remaining when the substitute Nasri played a neat one-two with Touré and, with the struggling James McCarthy guilty of ball watching, raced on to the midfielder’s glorious flick to loft the ball over Howard. It was another impressive statement of intent by the men from the Etihad Stadium.

Man of the match David Silva (Manchester City)

Liverpool agree in principle to pay Aston Villa £32.5m for Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke scored against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals last season to help Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian 

Liverpool are set to take their summer spending to around £80m after agreeing in principle to meet Aston Villa’s asking price for Christian Benteke.

The Belgian striker has a release clause in his contract set at £32.5m, and although Liverpool were originally trying to negotiate a transfer for a lower fee, they appear to have rethought their strategy following the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City and indicated a deal could go ahead for the full amount. Sterling was sold earlier in the week for £49m but a sell-on agreement with his former club Queens Park Rangers worth around £10m meant Liverpool received considerably less than that amount. Although they may have felt their hand forced by interest for Benteke from elsewhere, stories linking the Villa player to Manchester United are apparently without foundation.

Brendan Rodgers needs a reliable striker, with Daniel Sturridge still recovering from surgery, and Benteke fits the bill, though Rodgers may initially struggle to sell the signing to his own supporters after the club’s change of heart over his value makes it look as if Liverpool have paid over the odds. A Belgium international with 24 caps, the 24-year-old has scored 42 goals in 88 appearances since joining Villa from Genk in 2012. That is a more than respectable record for a side operating at the lower end of the Premier League, and Liverpool will hope Benteke can continue or even improve with better players around him.

It is no secret that Liverpool never satisfactorily replaced Luis Suárez in terms of the goals he contributed, and with Sterling gone and Sturridge only managing 18 games last season Rodgers could not afford any more delay, even if forwards Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings have been signed in this window.

Benteke is not quite in the class of the strikers Liverpool have lost and may be overpriced to a certain degree, but Rodgers has to be realistic now that the club can no longer offer Champions League football and Sterling engineered himself a move away from Merseyside.

Liverpool have spent £12.5m on Nathaniel Clyne this summer, are prepared to pay up to £29m to Hoffenheim for Firmino, and have signed Ings from Burnley for a fee due to be set by tribunal. Rodgers did say this would be a quiet window after spending £110m last summer, mostly the proceeds from the sale of Suárez, though that was before he knew Sterling would be lining up for someone else in the new season. Liverpool are in Australia on a pre-season tour but their chief executive, Ian Ayre, who is with them, is confident negotiations with Villa can be handled from the southern hemisphere.

Women's World Cup: heartbreaking own goal ends England dreams at the death

Laura Bassett is comforted by team-mates after scoring her own goal. Photograph: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

England’s World Cup dream concluded in the cruellest fashion when Laura Bassett’s stoppage time own goal re-routed Mark Sampson’s Lionesses from the final in Vancouver to Heathrow.

Bassett was in tears after slicing an intended clearance into her own net at the end of an evening on which England had held their own against a slick passing, technically accomplished, but largely non-penetrative, Japan side.

Defensively excellent, Sampson’s players persistently forced their opponents to construct their passing triangles down a series of cul-de-sacs and blind alleys. Perhaps ironically, they came undone when the geometry-obsessed World Cup holders delivered a rare cross.

A semi-final England’s coach had predicted would be very much about set pieces was level courtesy of a pair of somewhat debatable penalties, and drifting into extra time when Japan broke and Nahomi Kawusumi unleashed an excellent, subtly curving ball from the right. If anyone needed a reminder of why high-calibre crosses change games, this was it.

Under acute pressure from two attackers, Bassett attempted to clear but merely succeeded in forcing the ball over Karen Bardsley’s head before watching in horror as it grazed the underside of the bar and dropped a yard over the line.

As tears began rolling down Bassett’s face, the final whistle blew. Instantly the centre half was engulfed by team-mates desperate to offer her a consolatory hug.

Bassett and the rest of Sampson’s squad must travel back to London via Saturday’s third place playoff against Germany, while Japan will face USA in the following day’s denouement.

Prince William and David Cameron had been at the front of the queue of well wishers sending the Lionesses good luck messages on Wednesday, but Norio Sasaki was not convinced.

“There are places where England fall unintentionally apart,” said Japan’s coach, somewhat sniffily, shortly before kick off. “I wonder how they have been so successful so far?”

Shortly after kickoff, Jodie Taylor looked set to ruffle his confidence after connecting with Karen Bardsley’s long kick – but she directed her volley slightly off target.

After that, much of the first half was all about Japan dominating possession, with the Lionesses struggling to second-guess Aya Miyami’s midfield promptings and sometimes wrongfooted by the classy Rumi Utsugi.

The good news for Sampson was that the Nadeshiko struggled to get behind a supremely well organised defence, and Bardsley was barely troubled. Indeed, on admittedly rare counter-attacks invariably featuring long balls, Jill Scott and Taylor, the Lionesses looked reasonably threatening.

Everything changed when Claire Rafferty shoved Saori Ariyoshi just inside the area – England protested, forlornly, it was just outside – and Miayma stepped up to take the penalty. Despite delaying her kick and then stuttering in the run-up, she sent Bardsley the wrong way.

If Sampson had a case for arguing that Rafferty’s inital push had been made marginally outside the area, he could have had no complaints when England – due £35,000 per woman bonuses had they lifted the trophy – won a distinctly iffy penalty of their own.

This time, Steph Houghton tumbled all too easy in the face of Yuki Ogimi’s challenge, but the referee bought it and Fara Williams stepped up to the spot. Sampson’s set-piece specialist did not let him down, her kick comfortably evading Ayumi Kaihori’s grasp.

With Taylor’s knee – she had surgery only two months ago – forcing her replacement by Ellen White after an hour, Japan looked relieved. They appeared even more so as Toni Duggan’s shot rebounded off the bar.

Sasaki introduced Mana Iwabuchi – aka “The Killer” – from the bench, and the creator dubbed “the brightest flower” of the Japanese women’s game promptly began causing England all sorts of problems as she ran through a repertoire of tricks. So many, indeed, that there was a strong suspicion that Sampson, ever streetwise, instructed Bardsley to fake an injury in order to use the break in play to re-group his Lionesses.

No matter. Despite Taylor’s withdrawl, England remained very much in the game. White forced a splendid save from Japan’s goalkeeper Kaihori, and Jill Scott headed wide.

Extra time and possibly penalties were beckoning – but then Bassett, otherwise excellent for England throughout this tournament, endured the worst moment of her career.

In time, even she may be able to see the bigger picture. It involves the Lionesses’ achievement in reaching the semi finals of a women’s World Cup for the first time, and becoming the first national team of either gender to make the last four since Sir Bobby Robson’s boys of Italia 90.

They may have stumbled at the penultimate hurdle but, with a nation newly inspired, it will be a major surprise if the topography of the female game in England does not alter beyond recognition.