Chelsea’s ‘arrogant’ and ‘entitled’ players have come under fire after blanking a group of young mascots before their FA Cup tie against Hull City.
The Championship side had lined up the excited youngsters near the away dressing room before kick off at the MKM Stadium on Friday.
But in footage posted by the official club account, the Chelsea stars – led by captain Reece James – could be seen walking straight past the children.
The boys had waited patiently alongside Hull staff as the Premier League squad arrived off the team bus, but were ignored by every player in the 31-second clip.
At one moment Liam Delap looked like he was walking towards them but instead made a beeline to hug a member of staff from his time at Hull.
The camera then cut back to experienced players like Robert Sanchez and Joao Pedro who continued to walk past the boys, who were left standing on their own at the end of the clip.
Reece James led the Chelsea team in blanking the Hull City mascots at the MKM Stadium
Liam Delap hugged a member of Hull City staff but also failed to acknowledge the youngsters
Joao Pedro also walked past the group of kids who had been waiting patiently on Friday
It has sparked an outpouring of anger from fans on social media who have been left disgusted by the video, which has now been seen 2.8million times.
GB News presenter Michelle Dewberry wrote on X: ‘You should be ashamed your players act like this with these little boys. Instead, you’re proud and desperate to share it. Gross.’
Another said: ‘Chelsea admin watched this video and thought it was a great idea! In reality again they look like a bunch of entitled divas.’
A third user branded it a ‘terrible look’ and added: ‘Not one Chelsea player acknowledging or high-fiving the mascots. Who stole the soul?’
Even Chelsea fans themselves hit out at the video, with one saying: ‘We have a great video of our overpaid, arrogant and self-centered players walking past a bunch of kids and ignoring them.’
‘(It would) be nice if they looked at the mascots at all, even a smile, a glance or a wave. Would mean the world to those kids,’ another said.
A sixth person bemoaned: ‘Literally none of them recognised the young children waiting to see them turn up. Okay they are Hull City fans but would it hurt them to high five them or recognise their presence.’
It is unclear if other members of the Chelsea team or coaching staff acknowledged the kids after video was taken.
Chelsea ran out 4-0 winners in the tie after a hat-trick from Pedro Neto and a goal from Estevao. The victory means the Blues are in the hat for the fifth-round draw on Monday evening.
