Chelsea Star Eden Hazard Sent off for Kicking Swansea Ball Boy [VIDEO]

Chelsea football star Eden Hazard was sent off for kicking a ball boy in the Capital One Cup semi-final with Swansea City, but will not face police action for his offence.

Hazard, 22, appeared to kick the boy when he refused to return the ball late in the second half. Chelsea were trailing Swansea 2-0 on aggregate, and were desperate for a goal to get back into the tie.

The ball boy appeared to fall on the ball and refuse to relinquish it, prompting Hazard to wrestle him and aim a kick into his ribs.

The boy has been named as Charlie Morgan, son of Martin Morgan, owner of Morgan hotels and a major stakeholder at Swansea.

Hazard, who was given an immediate red card by referee Chris Foy, apologised for his actions when Morgan visited the Chelsea dressing room after the game.

Later, he told Chelsea TV: "The boy put his whole body on to the ball and I was just trying to kick the ball.

"I think I kicked the ball and not the boy. I apologise."

The FA is still to look into the matter and retrospective action will be taken against Hazard, a Belgian international who cost Chelsea more than £30m last summer and is regarded as one of football's most exciting talents.

However, police action on the incident has been called off after Swansea declined the opportunity to press charges.

Swansea released an official statement which read: "South Wales Police interviewed the 17-year-old ball boy with his father after the game and neither wished to press any charges. It was an unfortunate incident which both parties regret being involved in.

"Chelsea invited the ball boy into the dressing room after the game to shake hands with Hazard and both parties apologized. The ball boy was very impressed with the welcome he received from the Chelsea players and as far as both clubs and individuals are concerned the matter is closed."

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez added: "The ballboy has been in the dressing room talking with Hazard. They apologised to each other, they know they were wrong and that's it.

"He [the ball boy] was wasting time, Hazard was frustrated and wanted to get the ball back quickly. They both made a mistake and we cannot say too much. Both were wrong and we cannot change things. As a football club we know there was a mistake. We will talk to the player. We will deal with this internally. He was frustrated and wanted to get the ball back."

Division

The incident has taken the footballing world by storm and has divided fans and players alike.

Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand tweeted: "I'm not the authorities but in my eyes its a red for all those asking. Us players do put refs in bad spots at times unfortunately! "

Micheal Owen on the other hand, blamed the ball boy for instigating the situation.

"I'm not saying Hazard isn't in the wrong but I hate to see a person who instigates a situation then cry foul for next to nothing," he said.

"My oh my. What am I reading? People mentioning assault? He shouldn't kick the ball out of his hands but has this world gone mad?

"Both the kid and Hazard were in the wrong. Not having Hazard tried to hurt him though. He just tried to toe poke it out of his grip."

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar tried to see the funny side of the incident, saying: "I'm not saying its the correct thing 2 do but when in the heat of the moment u just want the ball. The ball was there for the taking 50/50 haha. The ref should have sent both off."