WTF was that about? When Eden Hazard kicked the Swansea ball boy 🤣 | OneFootball

The tribalistic, competitive nature of football can bring out the worst in people.

Tempers understandably flare on the pitch, but what about when those tempers cross beyond neutral lines?

We’ve had Eric Cantona kung-fu kicking a fan, Patrice Evra raking his studs down the neck of an abusive supporter … and Eden Hazard kicking a teenage ball boy.

Back in January 2013, a baby-faced Hazard was just six months into his Chelsea career and enjoying a mixed start.

The Belgian had scored just eight goals, while Roberto di Matteo was sacked despite leading the club to Champions League glory just eight months prior – with Rafa Benítez now tasked with steadying the ship.

And travelling to Swansea for their League Cup semi-final second leg, things were about to get much worse.

The Blues were already 2-0 down after losing at Stamford Bridge two weeks prior and were still chasing that deficit with 78 minutes played.

And after the ball went out for a Swansea goal kick, Hazard rushed to hand the ball back to goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel.

Charlie Morgan – son of then Swansea’s majority shareholder Martin Morgan – had other ideas.

Ahead of the match, Morgan suggested he would deliberately waste time, tweeting: “The king of all ball boys is back making his final appearance #needed #for #timewasting.”

And time-waste he did.

The 17-year-old put his whole body over the ball, delaying play and after a couple of nice attempts – Hazard cracked.

One kick to the chest was enough to spark wild complaints from fans and players alike, leaving the officials with no choice after conversing.

The rest was pretty simple. Hazard was sent off, the game ended 0-0 and Swansea went on to beat Bradford City 5-0 in the League Cup final.

As for Morgan, he later revealed he had spoken to Hazard and would not be pressing charges, adding insult to injury.