Chelsea make Hazard's case

Chelsea have written to the Football Association arguing that Eden Hazard should not be banned for more than three matches for kicking a ball boy during their Capital One Cup semi-final, second leg at Swansea.

Hazard was sent off for kicking 17-year-old Charlie Morgan as he attempted to retrieve the ball during the Blues' 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium last Wednesday.

The FA are considering extending Hazard's ban beyond the usual punishment of three games after they charged him with violent conduct on January 25 but it is understood that the Blues have submitted paperwork with the FA, arguing that a longer ban would be unjust.

The basis of their argument is that Hazard moved quickly to apologise for the fracas. The club are also thought to have pointed out that Swindon's Matt Ritchie was only booked for grappling with Oxford United ball boy Aidan Hawtin in a similar incident last year.

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/chelsea/chelsea_make_hazard_s_case_rss3683916.shtml