Report: Chelsea doctor removed from team bench following Mourinho's criticism

Chelsea's physio may have lost her spot on the Blues' bench.

Team doctor Eva Carneiro drew criticism from manager Jose Mourinho on Saturday following an incident that left Chelsea short-handed during its opening 2-2 draw with Swansea City.

Chelsea was pushing for a late winner - despite losing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a red card earlier in the game - when Carneiro pulled off star forward Eden Hazard for treatment. That decision did not sit well with Mourinho, who felt the timing was less than ideal.

"My medical department left me with eight fit outfield players in a counter-attack after a set piece and we were worried we didn't have enough players left," Mourinho said after the match.

"If you go to the pitch to assist a player, then you must be sure that a player has a serious problem. I was sure that Eden didn't have a serious problem. He had a knock and was very tired."

Now Carneiro, along with other members of Mourinho's staff, is set to lose some first-team responsibilities, according to the Telegraph's Matt Law. She will reportedly not have a role during training sessions or games, but she will still work with the first team at the club's Cobham training ground.

One of the few women on a Premier League bench, and the target of sexist abuse earlier in the year, Carneiro has continued to receive support from fans and colleagues.

"I would like to thank the general public for their overwhelming support," Carneiro responded on Facebook. "Really very much appreciated."

Former Premier League physio Brian Morris, who had spells with Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal, defended Carneiro's place in a tense environment.

"You would be a bit unhappy if the manager had a go at his own medical staff," Morris told the Daily Mirror. "This lady has taken some stick before, but whenever I've seen her she seems to be nothing other than professional. She appears very attentive."

Carneiro is not expected to make the trip to the Etihad Stadium for the marquee matchup Sunday against Manchester City.

She was first promoted to her post as the first-team doctor under former boss Andre Villas-Boas in 2011.