Eden Hazard and a Physician's Ethical Duty to help an Injured Player

We have talked before about the ever-emerging nexus between Bioethics and Sports. A startling example occurred last week at a soccer match between Chelsea and Swansea.

Belgian Chelsea player Eden Hazard had been tripped and, as he writhed in pain on the grass, team doctor Eva Carneiro ran out to attend to what looked like a serious injury. This meant Hazard had “to leave the pitch,” whatever that means, but the bottom line was he could not return to the field. This left Chelsea one player short for the rest of the game which ended in a 2-2 tie.

Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho was not happy, commenting that the physician was “impulsive and naïve” and “did not understand the game.” He then announced Dr. Carneiro would not be on the sidelines in the upcoming game against Manchester.

What Mourinho did not understand is that the doctor was adhering to the doctor's ethical obligations which required the care of an injured human being in obvious distress. It is Mourinho who should not just leave the pitch, the pitch should leave him.