In all this business with Eva Carneiro and Jose Mourinho, the only person we haven't heard from is Carneiro herself. Mourinho has had his say, journalists have had their say and all manner of experts have had their say. Carneiro has been silent on the issue.
At least until the FA decided that Jose Mourinho didn't have a case to answer over his conduct on the first day of the season. Mourinho was investigated on a charge of using 'abusive, sexist language'. However, the FA cleared him of wrongdoing in that regard and Carneiro has released a statement today strongly condemning the FA's investigation.
She also pointed to an incident last season during a game against West Ham in which she believes the FA essentially ignored sexist abuse from the crowd.
I was surprised to learn that the FA was allegedly investigating the incident of 8th of August via the press. I was at no stage requested by the FA to make a statement.
I wonder whether this might be the only formal investigation in this country where the evidence of the individuals involved in the incident was not considered relevant. Choosing to ignore some of the evidence will surely influence the outcome of the findings.
Last season I had a similar experience at a game at West Ham FC, where I was subject to verbal abuse. Following complaints by the public, the FA produced a communication to the press saying there had been no sexist chanting during this game. At no time was I approached for a statement despite the fact that vile unacceptable, sexually explicit abuse was clearly heard.
Carneiro may have been silent up until this point but that kind of statement is sure to cause an awful lot of trouble for the FA and Chelsea over the coming weeks.
