Graeme Le Saux claims Jose Mourinho-Eva Carneiro row has 'set the game back 30 years'

The former England left-back, who now has an advisory role with the FA, says that the fallout may have "set the game back 30 years".

Carneiro has left the club after she clashed with Mourinho when she ran onto the pitch in the final minutes of Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Swansea in August to treat Eden Hazard.

The Blues manager escaped disciplinary action from the FA over allegations he made discriminatory comments towards the doctor in September.

Writing in The Times, Le Saux said: "What concerns me most, given the work I'm doing for the FA, is the impact Mourinho's behaviour may have throughout the whole game.

"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 could have reduced the fallout if he had just apologised. You can apologise for your behaviour without apologising for why you did it.

"As someone who was privileged to play for Chelsea for 12 years, I'm saddened that it has come to this.

"The biggest disappointment for me is that Mourinho doesn't seem to have reflected on the damage he has done to his own image, the reputation of the club and, more important, the reputation of the entire game."