September 14 – The head of FIFA’s medical committee has commissioned a new sub-group to draw up a special code of ethics for coaches and team doctors.
Belgium’s Michel D’Hooghe discussed with his colleagues the idea of formalising rules for treating players in the light of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s treatment of his medical staff on the first day of the Premier League season.
Mourinho took a swipe at his staff, led by team doctor Eva Carneiro, describing them as “impulsive and naive” for treating Belgian midfield star Eden Hazard in stoppage time with Chelsea already down to 10 men following the sending-off of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Mourinho’s treatment of Carneiro, including an ongoing ban from the bench, has been criticised across the sport’s medical profession. The row has prompted D’Hooghe to put the issue on to the agenda for its meeting in Zurich last week, and it was agreed to set up a sub-committee to draw up a new code of practice
D’Hooghe says the body will seek the guidance of coaches across Europe as they draw up a new code.
“On the one hand the team doctors have to abide by the Hippocratic Oath and intervene when a player is in medical need, but it also important to take account of the fact they work as part of a group under the coach,” he said.
Last week Mary O’Rourke QC, a leading medical barrister and adviser to the England’s Football Medical Association, said Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn should be re-instated by Chelsea .
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