Monday 7 March 2016 18:25, UK
The tribunal hearing involving Chelsea and Jose Mourinho and former first-team doctor Eva Carneiro ended on Monday without any clear indication on whether the dispute had been resolved.
Carneiro attended the Croydon Employment tribunal for the private hearing with her husband, polar explorer Jason De Cartaret, while Chelsea chief executive Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia were also in attendance.
It was initially expected that discussions would not last long but after six and a quarter hours of talks, Carneiro left the building at 3.45pm surrounded by photographers.
Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and has a separate personal legal action against Mourinho, who left the club in December, for alleged victimisation and discrimination. She also wants a public apology from both Chelsea and Mourinho.
After Monday's private hearing, Carneiro's barrister Mary O'Rourke QC refused to be drawn on whether a deal had been reached, saying: "Mediation proceedings are confidential."
If a settlement cannot be reached, the hearing may will go to a public employment tribunal where witnesses can be called upon. Statements and documents such as emails and text messages would also be likely to be made public.
Sky Sports News HQ reporter Geraint Hughes, in Croydon, said: "It turned into a marathon mediation session between the legals teams of Chelsea, Mourinho and Carneiro.
"The length of discussions leads us to believe that maybe there were signs for a potential agreement or settlement with a degree of confidentiality."
It is also understood that Carneiro's representatives will not be returning to Croydon on Tuesday. There was the potential for a second day of discussions to take place.
The 42-year-old doctor was criticised by Mourinho and dropped from first-team duties following the 2-2 draw with Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League season last August.
Carneiro and first-team physio Jon Fearn were publicly rebuked by Mourinho for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in the latter stages of the game at Stamford Bridge.
As a result of the duo's intervention, Chelsea were temporarily down to nine men, and afterwards Mourinho described Carneiro and Fearn as 'impulsive and naive'.
Carneiro did not appear on the bench again for first-team duties and later parted company with the club. Mourinho was cleared of using discriminatory language towards Carneiro following an investigation by the Football Association.
