Chelsea Players Under Fire for Ignoring Young Mascots in Viral Clip
Chelsea's first-team squad has sparked widespread condemnation after a video circulated on social media, capturing several players blatantly ignoring a group of young Hull City mascots. The 30-second clip, originally shared by Chelsea's official X account ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round match against Hull City on Friday evening, has gone viral for all the wrong reasons, drawing sharp criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Video Details and Match Context
The footage shows Chelsea players, including club captain Reece James, walking toward the away dressing room at the MKM Stadium. James, wearing wireless headphones with a stern expression, leads the way, followed by teammates such as Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, Robert Sanchez, Andrey Santos, Estevao, and Joao Pedro. Notably, not a single player acknowledges the excited mascots standing to their right. In one moment, Delap appears to head toward the children, with one youngster bouncing with joy, only for the striker to hug a female Hull City employee instead, completely disregarding the group.
This incident overshadowed Chelsea's emphatic 4-0 victory over Hull City, where Pedro Neto scored a hat-trick and Estevao added another goal. However, three days later, the focus has shifted from the on-field success to the off-field etiquette breach, with the video spreading rapidly across platforms.
Fan and Media Backlash
Social media reactions have been scathing. One fan wrote, 'Dear Chelsea – teach your overpaid men-children to at least wave at the kids as they walk by and grow a personality.' Another supporter commented, 'That’s a terrible look. Not one Chelsea player acknowledging or high-fiving the mascots. Who stole the soul?' A third user lamented, 'Kids literally shaking to see these lot and no one cares.'
Further criticism emerged when a user shared a contrasting clip of a younger Jose Mourinho, during his tenure as Chelsea manager, high-fiving and joking with mascots in the tunnel, captioned 'compare and contrast.' This comparison has fueled calls for Chelsea to apologize by inviting the mascots back for a match or a visit to the club's training facilities.
Historical Context and Pundit Commentary
This is not the first time Chelsea has faced mascot-related controversy. Almost exactly two years ago, a mascot was left alone during a Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield, with footage going viral as the youngster wandered aimlessly on the pitch. Earlier this month, Newcastle United also received heavy criticism after abandoning a young mascot in the center circle before a defeat to Liverpool.
On talkSPORT, host Jeff Stelling highlighted the issue, stating, 'The Chelsea players do not bat an eyelid, they walk straight past! It’s not a good look is it? Do they need reminding that they have some responsibilities?' In response, Ally McCoist praised Jack Grealish for his approach with young fans, saying, 'It costs absolutely nothing and it’s amazing... you maybe underestimate how much it means to people.' McCoist emphasized that small gestures, like a high-five or a friendly word, can have a significant impact.
Club Response and Future Implications
As of now, Chelsea has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. The victory over Hull City secured their place in the FA Cup fifth-round draw, but the fallout from the video may linger. The club returns to Premier League action this weekend against Burnley, with this controversy potentially affecting player and team morale.
The broader discussion centers on the responsibilities of high-profile athletes beyond the pitch. Pundits argue that acknowledging young fans is a simple yet crucial aspect of their role, fostering goodwill and setting a positive example. This incident serves as a reminder of the power of social media in holding public figures accountable for their actions.
