What became of Eva Carneiro, the former Chelsea first-team doctor turned owner of an English football club?
A decade ago, Eva Carneiro stood out as one of the most recognizable figures in global football. Hailing from Gibraltar, this sports medicine expert made her mark as one of the foremost medical professionals in football.
Her journey in the sport commenced in the early 2000s after she completed her master’s degree in sports and exercise at London’s Queen Mary University. She began her career at West Ham before assuming roles as the doctor for the British Olympic team and later the England women’s national team.
In 2009, Carneiro joined Chelsea, where she quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a key member of the men’s team staff under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafael Benitez, and Jose Mourinho.
However, her time at Chelsea took a turn in 2015 when Mourinho publicly criticized Carneiro and another staff member for their on-field medical intervention during a match. This incident led to legal proceedings, resulting in Mourinho’s departure from the club and Carneiro’s subsequent exit, accompanied by a substantial compensation settlement.
In a 2017 interview with “L’Equipe,” Carneiro revealed the emotional toll of the ordeal, expressing how it took her almost a year to regain the ability to watch a football match without discomfort.
Following her departure from football, Carneiro embarked on a new path, initially working at “The Sports Medical Group” clinic before assuming a consultancy role at a hospital in Qatar in preparation for the 2022 World Cup.
Despite her transition away from the sport, Carneiro’s passion for football remained undiminished. This led her to acquire ownership of Lewes FC, a club competing in the upper echelons of the Isthmian League with both men’s and women’s teams.
Reflecting on her venture, Carneiro spoke of her love for football’s transformative power and her desire to align club values with positive development. Her co-ownership alongside Judy Murray, mother of tennis star Andy Murray, underscores her commitment to creating a thriving football project at Lewes FC, affirming her ongoing connection to the sport she loves.
