Hazard reveals why his infamous red card for kicking a ballboy was a GOOD thing

Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard has explained why his infamous sending off for kicking a Swansea ballboy in 2013 played into his hands after he received a three-match ban over the incident.

Hazard was involved in a fiery moment during the League Cup semi-final second leg - which saw Chelsea 2-0 down on aggregate - at the Liberty Stadium when ballboy Charlie Morgan tried to hold on to the ball to run down the clock - as his side looked to reach the final.

As the Belgian attempted to hook the ball out his arms, appearing to kick him in the process, he was given his marching orders by referee Chris Foy to cap off a night to forget for Chelsea.

Hazard - who retired from football in October after leaving Real Madrid - has since re-united worth Morgan, who is now a successful businessman worth over £40million thanks to his vodka empire.

Reflecting on the moment while speaking to ex-team-mate John Obi Mikel on the Obi One podcast, Hazard revealed the red card was a good thing for him.

When asked if it was a bad moment for him, Hazard said it actually came at the perfect time because his wife was about to have a baby.

'No, not at all because after that game I came back home - saying to myself, "this guy is just staying on the ball and I just tried to kick the ball", and then I get a red card?' He began.

'The funny story is my wife was just pregnant and the baby was coming now - that day. So me? Getting the red card? Three games out? Perfect. That's the reality. Perfect holiday, thank you guys!'

Mikel was then sent into fits of laughter as Hazard insisted the kicking incident was not intentional.

'They're going to think I did it on purpose, but not at all,' he added. 'It's a bit like when you play on the street. Someone is on the ball?