Bale, Neville, Owen & more: Twitter reacts to Hazard’s ball boy kick

Eden Hazard’s red card for clashing with a Swansea ball boy caused a huge stir on Twitter after the Swans booked their place in the Capital One Cup final with a 2-0 aggregate win over Chelsea.

The Belgium international was shown a red card by referee Chris Foy after he appeared to kick the youngster as he tried to retrieve the ball for a goal-kick in the 77th minute.

Here is the best of the Twitter reaction to Hazard’s dismissal from the professionals, both past and present, in chronological order.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) can’t quite believe what he’s seeing: “Who runs on to treat ball boys..right decision even though ball boy milked it.”

But his former team-mate Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) questions whether Hazard intended to kick the ball boy: “@Robbie9Fowler That red card. Not having he booted the ball boy. Just tried to toe poke the ball from under his body.

The Reds legend (@Robbie9Fowler) sees the funny side: “@themichaelowen if he did he missed it…. Bit like your tackle at Old Trafford, missed the ball and got the man.. Same result.. Red card.”

Ex-Ireland star Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) was unaware of this FA rule: “Can Hazard be send off for kicking a ball boy????”

Former Middlesbrough captain Gaizka Mendieta (@GaizkaMendieta6) reckons the law-book may need updating: “Ball boy shouldn’t have held the ball like that…no excuse for Hazard’s reaction! What’s the rules re kicking ball boys? #FArules”

England bowler Darren Gough (@DGoughie) can see Swansea offering the ball boy a deal: “Great passion from the ball boy? He’ll be getting a contract.”

Or as Graeme Swann points out, perhaps he’s better suited to rugby: “So it’s confirmed, Welshman are taught to hold on to the ball in the tackle from an early age @Jamiehuwroberts”

QPR striker Jay Bothroyd (@jaybothroyd) reckons the ball boy was guilty of simulation: “The ball boy made a meal of that !!! Hahahahaha That whole scenario was just a joke.”

West Brom star Steven Reid (@stevenreid12) sees the funny side of it all: “Got to chuckle at the ball boy being led away for medical assistance hahahaha!”

Former Bradford City manager Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) thought he had seen it ALL: “Nothing should ever surprise you in the game “but” have I just seen Hazard getting sent off for kicking the ball boy!!!!”

The similarly experienced Peter Reid (@reid6peter) is also lost for words: “I can’t believe what has gone on at Swansea!”

Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) wants consistency from referees: “Ball boy should have been booked for time wasting after Hazard red card. Inconsistency of refs!!! Only talking point of a poor semi-final.”

Marseille midfielder Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) is surprisingly late to the debate: “What I am reading about Hazard? Kicked a ball boy! What?”

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) is flabbergasted by what he’s seen: “What have I just witnessed?! A ball, a ball boy, a player and a red card..you would never have imagined all that could go together in one sentence!”

Everton captain Phil Neville (@fizzer18) backs the referee’s decision: “You can’t kick the ball boy that’s not right so I again agree with Chris Foy, red card!”

But Tottenham star Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) disagrees with Neville: “Unbelievable decision by the referee to send Hazard off but congrats to Swansea. Who’d have predicted this final?!”

Former United defender Gary Neville (@GNev2) hopes Rafael Benitez chooses his words carefully in the post-match interview: “Rafa Benitez will need to be careful here on interview re Hazard. These incidents have a habit of growing arms and legs. Nip it in the bud!”

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar (@therealstevenpi) tweets his thoughts: “I’m not saying its the correct thing to do but when in the heat of the moment you just want the ball..the ball was there for the taking 50/50 haha!”

Arsenal legend Ian Wright (@IanWright0) believes both parties were guilty of wrongdoing: “To be fair, the ball boy and hazard acted poorly. It was something you don’t see everyday! Can’t help smiling. Congrats Swansea by the way.”

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann (@DietmarHamann) wonders who instructed the ball boy to time waste: “What has the game come to if you tell your ball boys to slow the game down? Football is watched all over the world #Rolemodel!”

Blackpool forward Thomas Ince (@RealThomasInce) can’t believe the decision: “Game has well and truly gone….. #absolute joke #unbelievable #edenhazard”

Former Wimbledon striker Jason Euell (@jasoneuell) wonders what is next: “Hazard shouldn’t of kicked out at him but to lay on top of it is an extreme for time wasting no? What next, stuff under the top and run away??”

Finally, ex-Chelsea midfieler Jody Morris (@morriskid) gets back to the football: “Fair play to Swansea…thought Ashley Williams and Leon Britton were brilliant!! #gutted”

Reading striker Noel Hunt (@boyhunt) is happy for Britton: “Leon Britton is a hero for Swansea. 10 years there and been thought it all thought all the leagues!! Delighted for him!! Top man!!”

And Hunt’s team-mate Adam Le Fondre (@A1F1E9) congratulates the Swans captain: “@AshWills84 congrats mate on gettin to the cup final!!! Pleased for ya!! Still remember you shanking them out of edgeley park haha! #baller”