Chelsea’s players have been heavily criticised after a video showed them walking past a group of excited young Hull City mascots without acknowledging them before their FA Cup clash on Friday night.
The incident took place ahead of the fourth-round tie at the MKM Stadium, where Hull had arranged for several young mascots to line up near the away dressing room area to welcome the visiting Premier League side. The children, dressed in club colours, waited eagerly as the Chelsea team bus arrived and the players stepped off one by one.
However, footage shared by Hull City’s official social media account appeared to show the Chelsea squad, led by captain Reece James, walking straight past the youngsters without offering so much as a wave, smile or high-five. In the 31-second clip, each player is seen making their way into the stadium tunnel area, seemingly focused on preparations for the match, while the children remain standing nearby.
At one point, striker Liam Delap briefly appeared to head in the direction of the mascots, raising hopes that he might stop to greet them. Instead, he diverted towards a member of staff he knew from his previous spell at Hull, embracing them warmly before continuing inside. The camera then cut to other senior players, including goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and forward Joao Pedro, who also walked past without acknowledging the boys.
By the end of the clip, the youngsters were left standing on their own, still waiting as the last of the Chelsea players disappeared into the dressing room area. The video quickly gained traction online, amassing millions of views and sparking a wave of criticism from supporters and neutral observers alike.
Many fans expressed disappointment at what they perceived as a lack of basic courtesy. Some labelled the behaviour “arrogant” and “entitled,” arguing that professional footballers, particularly those at the highest level, should take a moment to recognise the excitement of young supporters. Critics suggested that even a simple gesture — a glance, a smile, or a quick high-five — could have meant a great deal to the children who had been eagerly anticipating the players’ arrival.
Media personality Michelle Dewberry was among those who publicly condemned the incident, stating on social media that the club should feel ashamed for sharing the footage. Others questioned why the video had been posted at all, suggesting it reflected poorly on the players involved. Several comments described the moment as a “terrible look,” with users pointing out that none of the Chelsea players appeared to acknowledge the mascots at any point during the clip.
Notably, even some Chelsea supporters voiced their frustration. A number of fans admitted feeling uncomfortable watching the footage, criticising what they saw as a missed opportunity to show humility and class. One supporter remarked that it would have taken very little effort for the players to at least smile or wave, emphasising how much such small gestures can mean to young fans. Another highlighted that, regardless of club allegiance, children attending matches should be treated with warmth and respect.
Others defended the players more cautiously, suggesting that pre-match routines can be intense and highly focused, especially in knockout competitions like the FA Cup. Some pointed out that the short clip may not have captured the full picture and that members of the squad or coaching staff could have interacted with the mascots outside of what was shown. It remains unclear whether any players acknowledged the children after the camera stopped recording.
Despite the controversy surrounding the video, Chelsea delivered a dominant performance on the pitch. The Blues secured a comprehensive 4-0 victory over the Championship side. Pedro Neto stole the spotlight with an impressive hat-trick, while young Brazilian talent Estevao added a fourth goal to seal the win. The result ensured Chelsea’s progression to the fifth round of the FA Cup, with their name now in the hat for the next draw.
However, for many observers, the focus has shifted away from the scoreline and onto the pre-match scenes. The incident has reignited broader conversations about the relationship between elite footballers and supporters, particularly young fans who often idolise professional players. In an era where clubs place significant emphasis on community engagement and global branding, moments like this can quickly become talking points that overshadow on-field success.
Whether the backlash will prompt any response from the club remains to be seen. For now, the footage continues to circulate online, serving as a reminder of how small gestures in football can carry significant emotional weight — especially for children experiencing what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand just metres away from their heroes.