Swansea boss: Hazard will regret ball-boy incident

Chelsea's Eden Hazard receives a red card from referee Chris Foy for violent conduct. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire

Wednesday, January 23, 2013
10:50 PM

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup said he expected Eden Hazard would regret an incident with a ball-boy when he views it on television.

The Belgian international was sent off 10 minutes from time after appearing to kick a young boy who refused to hand the ball back after it had gone out for a Swans goal-kick.

“I saw it from a very big distance from the bench,” Laudrup told Sky Sports.

“I’ve since seen it after the game. Hazard is a great player. When he sees the images I think he will regret it.”

Laudrup denied the club had given the ball boys instructions to hold onto the ball when it went out of play.

“No, no. Definitely not,” he said.

“I think he was pushed and on top of the ball. I can understand all the frustrations when you are behind.”

For the Blues it was a shameful end to their bid for Capital One Cup silverware as they failed to overturn the 2-0 semi-final first leg deficit.

It saw the Swans ease to a 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium that booked a first ever major final and they will play League Two side Bradford City at Wembley on February 24.

“What can I say. Over two legs we just beat the European champions from last season without conceding a goal,” Laudrup said.

“It was a game I expected. We had possession but they had moments where we had to defend deep.

“We came well into the game. We had the first two good chances with Wayne Routledge and the best one for Michu which Cech saved.

“That gave me the confidence that we were on the right track.”