Chelsea's Capital One Cup defeat to Swansea City was overshadowed by an incident in which Eden Hazard kicked a teenage ballboy, leading to a red card. The 17-year-old, identified locally as Charlie Morgan, son of Swansea director Martin Morgan, was accused of time-wasting by lying on the ball. Hazard later apologised to the boy in the Chelsea dressing room.
Hazard said: 'The boy put his whole body on to 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 Belgian international, a £32m signing from Lille, was sent off by referee Chris Foy and faces a three-match ban, which could be extended by the Football Association.
The incident adds to Chelsea's turbulent season, which has included John Terry's four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand and Mikel John Obi's suspension for entering the referee's room. Swansea manager Michael Laudrup criticised Hazard's actions, saying: 'You can't kick him. It was a huge mistake.'
Swansea confirmed the ballboy would not press charges, and both parties apologised. Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benítez said: 'They both made mistakes. They both accept they were wrong.' The teenager had boasted on Twitter before the match that he was 'needed for time-wasting' behind the goal.
