Chelsea will have another chance to avoid a public employment tribunal into former club doctor Eva Carneiro's constructive dismissal claim at a private hearing next month, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
As first reported by The Times, the hearing on March 7 will be held by a High Court judge with the power to recommend a potential settlement to the legal proceedings initiated by Carneiro in November in the wake of her removal from first-team duties by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho said Carneiro and head physio Jon Fearn had been "impulsive and naive" after the pair ran onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in the closing stages of Chelsea's Premier League draw with Swansea City on Aug. 8.
Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and sex discrimination against Mourinho, and her legal team will put forward their demands for a settlement at the hearing.
If no agreement is reached, the case is set for a public employment tribunal in early June at which all witness statements will be disclosed and witnesses -- including Carneiro and Mourinho -- could be summoned to give evidence.
Chelsea opted to file a defence to Carneiro's claims in time to meet the Dec. 17 deadline -- coincidentally the same day Mourinho was sacked -- and failed to reach a settlement with their former club doctor at a preliminary hearing which took place at London South Employment Tribunal on Jan. 6.
The Football Association cleared Mourinho of sexist abuse towards Carneiro in September after a complaint made by a member of the public, who alleged that TV footage showed the former Chelsea boss using an abusive phrase with a sexist element during the incident. Carneiro subsequently issued a statement criticising the FA for failing to interview her.
Chelsea are not commenting on the matter while legal proceedings are ongoing.