Chelsea ace Eden Hazard was sent off in extraordinary circumstances when he kicked a ballboy during their Capital One Cup exit at Swansea City on Wednesday night.
The astonishing incident, the latest to blight Chelsea's season, happened with just over 10 minutes remaining of the tie, which the Blues lost 2-0 on aggregate.
Facing elimination and little time left to make up the deficit, Hazard lashed out in frustration when the ballboy refused to hand over the ball after it had gone out of play for a goal kick.
Ballboy Charlie Morgan, 17, son of Swansea director Martin, tried to deliberately keep Hazard from getting to the ball by falling on top of it.
The Blues forward then grappled with Charlie and, after failing to wrestle the ball from his grasp, appeared to kick the youngster in the ribs.
With the young boy helped off to receive treatment, referee Chris Foy had no choice but to show Hazard a straight red card.
The ballboy was quickly ushered away from the tunnel area after the final whistle, having been interviewed by police officers.
A Swansea spokesman later confirmed no action would be taken, and that Chelsea had invited the lad into their dressing room.
"The ballboy has been in the dressing room talking with Hazard and they have apologised to each other. They know they were wrong, that's it," said Chelsea manager Rafa Benítez.
"He was wasting time, Hazard was frustrated, he wanted to get the ball back quickly so they have both made a mistake and we cannot say too much.
"We will deal with this internally. We will analyse and wait to see if there is any action from the FA."
Speaking on Chelsea TV, Hazard added: "The boy put his whole body onto the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball and I think I kicked the ball and not the boy. I apologise.
"The ball boy came in the changing room and we had a quick chat and I apologised and the boy apologised as well, and it is over. Sorry."
In another bizarre twist, Charlie had earlier bragged about his timewasting intentions on Twitter.
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| A ballboy lays on the ground after being kicked by Chelsea player Eden Hazard Photo: Getty Images |
The astonishing incident, the latest to blight Chelsea's season, happened with just over 10 minutes remaining of the tie, which the Blues lost 2-0 on aggregate.
Facing elimination and little time left to make up the deficit, Hazard lashed out in frustration when the ballboy refused to hand over the ball after it had gone out of play for a goal kick.
Ballboy Charlie Morgan, 17, son of Swansea director Martin, tried to deliberately keep Hazard from getting to the ball by falling on top of it.
The Blues forward then grappled with Charlie and, after failing to wrestle the ball from his grasp, appeared to kick the youngster in the ribs.
With the young boy helped off to receive treatment, referee Chris Foy had no choice but to show Hazard a straight red card.
The ballboy was quickly ushered away from the tunnel area after the final whistle, having been interviewed by police officers.
 | |
| Chelsea player Eden Hazard is sent off by referee Chris Foy after kicking a ballboy Photo: Getty Images |
A Swansea spokesman later confirmed no action would be taken, and that Chelsea had invited the lad into their dressing room.
"The ballboy has been in the dressing room talking with Hazard and they have apologised to each other. They know they were wrong, that's it," said Chelsea manager Rafa Benítez.
"He was wasting time, Hazard was frustrated, he wanted to get the ball back quickly so they have both made a mistake and we cannot say too much.
"We will deal with this internally. We will analyse and wait to see if there is any action from the FA."
Speaking on Chelsea TV, Hazard added: "The boy put his whole body onto the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball and I think I kicked the ball and not the boy. I apologise.
"The ball boy came in the changing room and we had a quick chat and I apologised and the boy apologised as well, and it is over. Sorry."
In another bizarre twist, Charlie had earlier bragged about his timewasting intentions on Twitter.
The king of all ball boys is back making his final appearance #needed #for #timewasting
— Charlie Morgan™ (@CHARLIEM0RGAN) January 23, 2013
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