Hazard sent off for wrestling ball off a ball-boy. Ridiculous but why put yourself in that situation?

It’s not Eden Hazard’s job to be judge, jury and executioner.

The ball boy was obviously taking the mick and being laboriously slow about giving the ball back to Petr Cech. But it’s the referees job to adjudicate what action should be taken, not a Chelsea player.

The FA states in its rulebook:

“Any subsequent injuries, or additional delays, including time wasting, will result in further time being added on.  No further communication will be necessary.

"Referees are to ensure that the full allowance is made for time lost and subsequently played.”

It says nothing about players taking vigilante action. If the ball boy is taking the piss throwing balls back then alert the referee and it’s his job to sort it out.

In a world where teams move their advertising hoardings in to hinder Stoke City’s throws, any little advantage is sought. It’s blindingly obvious that the ball boy has been told to be painstakingly slow but that’s expected, surely?

It’s the same dynamic as when a Sunday league goalkeeper trudges to fetch the ball to waste time. It’s called destruction tactics, not pretty but part of the game.

It happens, it’s obvious. But, because Chelsea aren’t good enough to pull a 2-0 defecit back against Swansea City Eden Hazard is allowed to take his own vigilante retribution against anyone he deems as impeding the game?

Sounds like the role of a match official to me.

Hazard has confronted him, touched him and he’s fell down in a heap on the ball. It’s theatrical and nonsensical. 

Even more nonsensical is Hazard kicking the ball from under him and, as it seems, kicking the ball boy, albeit minimally, in doing so.

This is a ball boy. Is the name not enough? Eden Hazard has confronted and kicked him, even if it's inadvertent.

How can the ref not send him off? Of course he’s tried to kick the ball and I’m not in anyway saying he’s gone out to hurt a ball boy but in what world can that be acceptable conduct from a professional footballer.

Eden Hazard cost £30m and should act more like a player befitting that price tag.