David Moyes apologises for kicking ball at Frankfurt ball boy

West Ham manager David Moyes has apologised for losing his cool and clashing with an Eintracht Frankfurt ball boy as his side crashed out of the Europa League.

The Hammers fell 2-1 in the first leg at home and were soon up against it in the return fixture when Aaron Cresswell was sent off after just 19 minutes, with Frankfurt scoring the only goal of the game soon after.

Moyes joined Cresswell in the stands after being shown his own red card late in the tie, volleying the ball in the direction of the Frankfurt ball boy after growing frustrated with what he felt were blatant timewasting tactics.

“I have to apologise for kicking the ball at the ball boy,” said Moyes. “He left it short, it was nicely on the volley for me, but I apologise for it.

“I didn’t hit him, I think I just bent it past him. He threw it very short when he could have thrown me the ball, he chose to leave it short. As I said, I apologise for that. But it was a big game we were trying to win tonight.”

While Moyes had no complaints with his own dismissal, he took the opportunity to criticise the officials' performance throughout the game, particularly highlighting the animated response from the Frankfurt bench in the wake of Cresswell's sending off.

“I thought it wasn’t great officiating tonight,” said the West Ham boss. “Aaron has given the referee a decision to make, but I was more disappointed with the Frankfurt bench. The whole bench came off and I had a run-in with the fourth official because I had left my square, but their whole bench was [doing the same].

“I am really disappointed with the reaction of the bench [to Cresswell’s challenge]. You don’t react in that way. I hope my bench wouldn’t. Maybe that’s what I need to do. Maybe we need to change the way we try to be correct.”


Source : 90min