Former Chelsea left-back Graeme Le Saux has suggested that manager Jose Mourinho has set football "back 30 years" with his treatment of club doctor Eva Carneiro.
Carneiro was publicly criticised by the Chelsea boss for entering the field in the match against Swansea City in August, and subsequently left Stamford Bridge after being frozen out of first-team affairs by Mourinho.
Le Saux, who is a member of the Football Association's Inclusion Advisory Board, has claimed that the Portuguese coach has harmed women working in British football with his recent behaviour.
"What concerns me the most, given the work I'm doing for the FA, is the impact Mourinho's behaviour may have throughout the whole game," Le Saux wrote in The Times.
"We're trying to deal with some very sensitive issues and to change the culture of the game. Some good people at the FA have taken a kicking after concluding there was insufficient evidence to charge Mourinho, whilst the whole furore may also deter women from becoming involved in football, as well as discouraging clubs from employing them.
"A lot of people are working very hard to get the game in a better place, but after the last few weeks it feels as if we've gone back 30 years."
Mourinho faced no FA action over his actions towards Carneiro.
Steven Toplis
