Thursday 24 September 2015 15:28, UK
The Premier League Doctors' Group says safeguards are needed for team doctors treating players following Eva Carneiro's case at Chelsea.
Dr Carneiro and physiotherapist Jon Fearn were relieved of pitchside duties on the back of criticism from boss Jose Mourinho after they ran on to the pitch to tend to injured Eden Hazard in the closing stages of Chelsea's draw at home to Swansea on August 8.
Sky sources understand reports that Dr Carneiro has left Chelsea are premature but believe she will not be returning to work at Stamford Bridge.
Dr Mark Gillett, chair of the Premier League Doctors' Group, said her exit had not gone down well with her colleagues, and that the incident highlighted the need for safeguards and clarification of the role.
Gillett, director of performance at West Brom, said: "The news that Dr Eva Carneiro has left her position as first team doctor at Chelsea FC has been received by her colleagues in the Premier League Doctors' Group with great sadness and considerable regret.
"She has continued to display the highest standards of professional conduct and personal integrity throughout an extremely challenging period for herself.
"This incident and the media attention given to it highlights the need to clarify and safeguard the doctor-patient relationship that exists between Premier League doctors and players.
"The Premier League Doctors' Group will continue to impress these issues to all stakeholders in Premier League football and seek to ensure that the highest standards of assessment and treatment are applied irrespective of any match situation."
Mourinho criticised Carneiro and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn as "impulsive and naive" after they went on to the pitch to treat Hazard.
Chelsea were then temporarily reduced to nine men against Swansea as Hazard had to leave the field and Thibaut Courtois had already been sent off.
