Former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro lawyers have served notice on the club that she intends to seek a claim for constructive dismissal.
It is understood that legal papers were served on the club this week and these will trigger an employment tribunal unless an out-of-court settlement can be agreed before a hearing takes place.
Carneiro’s lawyer served the papers this week after failing to agree a settlement with Chelsea so far. The three-month period in which a claim must be notified ends on November 8.
An employment tribunal hearing would take place in public and could be potentially embarrassing for the club, and for that reason such cases are usually settled beforehand. Chelsea have previously said they cannot comment on internal staffing matters.
The doctor was dropped from first-team duties on August 8 after she and physio John Fearn were criticised by manager Jose Mourinho for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard – the player had to leave the field temporarily as a result meaning Chelsea were briefly down to nine men.