Chelsea's Eden Hazard Apologises to Ballboy

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Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has apologised to the ballboy who was centre of attention in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Swansea, which finished goalless.

South Wales police questioned the boy and his father after the game but will not take the matter any further.

Hazard told Chelsea TV: "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 ballboy 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."

Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez said: "The ballboy knows he was wasting time. We are disappointed to lose the player but we cannot change things. They both recognise there was a mistake.

"The boy was apologising for time wasting. Hazard was frustrated and tried to get the ball. He was kicking the ball and getting the ball.

"We can analyse it for half an hour but we know that both are wrong."

Benitez said that Hazard's actions would be dealt with internally by the club but reacted angrily when he was accused of attempting to condone Hazard's actions.

"I do not know what you expect from me," he added. "Do you think we are not disappointed with the situation, that we do not regret what happened? Do you think they have not apologised? They have done it so what can we do now? Do you want to change things? We cannot.

"The player spoke to the boy and he said sorry because it was a mistake. We know it was a mistake but we talked with the player and the boy so what do you expect?

A Swansea spokesman said: "The police have interviewed the boy and his father and there are no charges going to be pressed, as far as they are concerned that is the matter closed.

"The ballboy has been into the Chelsea dressing room after the game and shaken hands with Eden Hazard.