No link with ballboy incidents - FA (From Banbury Cake)

No link with ballboy incidents - FA

10:00am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in U's News By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

The Football Association have clarified why two incidents between players and ballboys, one involving an Oxford United game, received different punishments.

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard received a red card, and was later charged by the FA for kicking a ballboy in last week’s Capital One Cup semi-final exit at Swansea City.

It was reminiscent of last season’s derby at the Kassam Stadium, when Swindon’s Matt Ritchie grappled with Oxford United ballboy Aiden Hawtin.

Ritchie only received a booking on that occasion.

The FA felt there was no inconsistency, as Hazard’s clash was more serious.

A spokesman said: “The incidents were not the same at all and can’t be compared.

“We looked into the incident at the time and consulted with Oxford United, who had no qualms with it.”

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