No criminal charges in ball boy row (From Romsey Advertiser)

No criminal charges in ball boy row

12:46am Thursday 24th January 2013 in National News © Press Association 2013

Chelsea footballer Eden Hazard will not face criminal charges for apparently kicking a ball boy during his side's Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea, police have said.

South Wales Police said officers spoke to the 17-year-old boy - who did not sustain injuries - and his father and no complaint was made.

The youth was seen to be kicked by the Belgian player after refusing to give him back the ball. Hazard was sent off and Chelsea lost 2-0 on aggregate to send Swansea through to the cup final against Bradford at Wembley.

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "South Wales Police can confirm that the Swansea City Ball Boy has been interviewed in the presence of his father and no complaint has been made. The ball boy did not sustain any injuries."

Next month's Capital One Cup final will be Swansea's first major final in their 100-year history but the achievement was overshadowed by a moment of madness from Hazard. With just over 10 minutes remaining and Chelsea needing to score twice to force extra-time, he lost patience when a ball boy refused to hand over the ball after it had gone out of play.

The ball boy fell to the ground as Hazard attempted to get the ball from him with the Blues forward then trying to kick it from under him but instead he appeared to make contact with the youngster. Several Chelsea players went to tend to the ball boy, who was left holding his ribs, before referee Chris Foy produced a red card.

After the game Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez said that Hazard and the ball boy had exchanged apologies in the dressing room after the match.

He said: "They apologised to each other. They both talked. The boy knows he was wasting time. Hazard was frustrated and trying to get the ball back. We can not change the situation. We are disappointed because we lost a player. The best thing for us is to move forward."

A Swansea spokesman confirmed no action would be taken and that Chelsea had invited the 17-year-old, who has been a ball boy at the Liberty Stadium for six years, into their dressing room.

He said: "The ball boy has been into the Chelsea dressing room after the game and shaken hands with Eden Hazard. The likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard were exemplary in their behaviour in welcoming him into the dressing room. Chelsea asked if he could come in and our kit lady took him in and they shook hands, he is fine. As far as we are concerned the matter is closed. He has been a ball boy here for six years with no incidents here at the stadium."