Eden Hazard kicking the Swansea ball boy: The reaction

 

Laura Davis
Thursday 24 January 2013 06:52 EST
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(Getty Images)

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Last night Chelsea's Eden Hazard kicked a 17 year-old ball boy when he wouldn't let go of the ball in the game against Swansea.

Reactions are mixed, but anger is mainly being directed towards the footballer for his violence towards ball boy Charlie Morgan.

Chelsea FC's official Twitter account originally tweeted:

'Has football gone mad? Hazard is sent off for kicking the ball under a ball boy attempting to smother the ball rather than return it.'

Then apologised for the tweet.

In his post-match analysis, Sky Sports pundit Glenn Hoddle said it was not an isolated incident.

A Twitter account, which has been recognised as the boy's account, has also been criticised for tweeting yesterday afternoon:

'The king of all ball boys is back making his final appearance #needed #for #timewasting'.

And some have called for Swansea's to be investigated for their conduct of ball boys.

Joey Barton tweeted this morning:

'Hazard only crime is he hasn't kicked him hard enough...'

Then also cleared up what he meant in following tweets...

Michael Owen said:

'I maintain my opinion from last night. How people can claim Hazard assaulted a kid is embarrassing. He shouldn't of kicked the ball out of his grasp but he hardly booted the lad as some people were suggesting. The lads antics were scandalous and no wonder he isn't taking any further action. His Dad is a Swansea director so I'd assume this situation will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.'

Piers Morgan responded:

'The ballboy was silly, Hazard was a dangerous thug. There's a difference. Shame @themichaelowen can't see it.'

Stan Collymore also added:

'Hazard deserved red(violent conduct rule). Kid is a prat. Ball boy job is to give ball quickly .End of. Is that enough of an opinion?'

Rio Ferdinand tweeted:

'What have I just witnessed?! A ball,a ball boy,a player + a red card..u would never have imagined all that could go together in 1 sentence!'

The top comment on the YouTube video reads:

'Hazard kicked him, Torres defo would have missed him, Cole would have shot him, and Terry would have shagged him. welcome to Chelsea'

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