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'Ballboygate' tarnishes Chelsea

London - Just when it seemed Chelsea's reputation couldn't sink any lower after a controversy-ridden 2012, along came "Ballboygate."

The Football Association's disciplinary body is set to open a fresh file on the English club on Thursday after winger Eden Hazard was sent off for kicking a 17-year-old ball boy while attempting to retrieve the ball in the League Cup semi-finals.

VIDEO: Eden Hazard kicks ball boy

The Belgium winger has apologised to the ball boy and will not face criminal charges, but will be handed a minimum three-match ban for violent conduct.

After racism scandals involving John Terry, Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel last year, Chelsea must now face up to further accusations that its millionaire players are out of control.

Former referee Dermot Gallagher said "there's no defence" for Hazard's actions.

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