Although I'm in favour of giving your own kids a smack to keep them in line (as well as teaching them respect), this is a totally different matter. If a parent
can get into **** with the law for giving their kids a smack, how the hell is a multi-millionaire footballer meant to justify kicking a ball boy over a few wasted seconds?
These players are meant to be role models, and by petulantly kicking out, Hazard's just set out an example to kids around the world that hitting out when things don't go
your way is okay, how long before children start hitting their referees when a decision goes against them? And the fact that Chelsea, a world club, backed this position, is just
going to enforce this notion that violence is justifiable in football when things go against you.
If you think I'm overreacting, you might (or might not) remember what happened at your kid's local club after the 2002 world cup. All the sudden, diving just became prevalent amongst
them as they saw their idols do it, and thought it was okay.