Controversy at the FA Cup match as Chelsea players ignore young Hull mascots
Michelle Dewberry and Bev Turner have voiced their anger after Chelsea players ignored young Hull mascots before Friday night’s FA Cup match, reports BritPanorama.
The Blues won the match 4-0 at the MKM Stadium, with Pedro Neto scoring a hat-trick and Estevao also finding the net, securing Chelsea’s progression to the fifth round.
Preceding the kickoff, a controversial incident unfolded as footage shared on Chelsea’s official X page showed the players, led by Reece James, passing by young mascots dressed in Hull colours without acknowledgment.
The boys appeared eager for interaction, yet every Chelsea player walked past them, disregarding their presence. Forward Liam Delap, who has had a challenging stint at Stamford Bridge since joining from Ipswich, initially seemed to head towards them but ultimately chose to greet a member of the Hull staff instead.
Dewberry expressed her disappointment on social media, stating, “You should be ashamed your players act like this with these little boys. Instead, you’re proud and desperate to share it. Gross.” Turner added in a similar vein, “Say hello to the children you fools!! You only kick balls for a living. But you would give these kids a massive thrill. Give them high fives! Anything!!”
Fans echoed these sentiments on various social platforms. One noted, “Chelsea admin watched this video and thought it was a great idea! In reality again they look like a bunch of entitled divas.” Another remarked it was a “terrible look,” with a third suggesting that even a smile or wave would have made a significant difference for the young mascots.
Despite these interactions, it remains unclear whether Chelsea players connected with the mascots after the recorded footage. Coach Liam Rosenior praised his team’s performance during the match, highlighting their pressing and intensity, particularly the contributions of Pedro Neto, who played a crucial role in their victory. He expressed satisfaction with the professionalism displayed by his players, noting, “I felt it was a really professional performance tonight against a very good team who are pushing for the Premier League.”
Ultimately, the backstory to the match reveals not just a contest on the field, but a deeper commentary on the responsibilities athletes carry off it — a reminder that even with the thrill of victory, some gestures can leave an imprint far greater than the final scoreline. In the hallowed arena of football, it seems, respect for the game’s youngest admirers should never be sidelined.
