Chelsea shared the video on its own social media channels when its players arrived at Hull's MKM Stadium for the cup match on Friday night. However, the clip has since drawn unwelcome attention. Many players walk past the group of mascots, including James, Estevao, Pedro, and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Forward Liam Delap stops, but only to greet a member of Hull's staff whom he likely knew from his time on loan from Manchester City at Hull City between 2023 and 2024.

As a result, Chelsea's big stars have been subjected to harsh criticism on social media. @BevTurner wrote: "Say hello to the kids, idiots! You only make a living by kicking a ball. But you can make these kids so excited. High-five them! Anything! Spoiled... where is your humanity?"

Al Foran added: "They don't care about anything, it's really depressing how disconnected from reality today's footballers are."

Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies wrote: "Very disappointing @ChelseaFC, didn't anyone even bother to greet those young footballers as they walked by? It would have taken only 5 seconds!"

An account with the username @HarveyJB24 did not mince words and posted: "A bunch of a------ who don't even look at the mascots."

Another user wrote: "Everything that is wrong with the Premier League in about 30 seconds of video."

To be fair to the Chelsea squad, they had just come through a door, so they could not foresee the group's presence, and the line of mascots was positioned at an angle where it was in the players' peripheral vision. Additionally, they would later greet the same mascots just before the start of the match, as is customary. Interestingly, much of the outrage seemed to be generated among right-wing media outlets in the U.K.

On the field, there was no reason to criticize Liam Rosenior's team, as it comfortably defeated its Championship rival 4-0. Pedro Neto scored a hat trick, while Delap provided three assists, and Estevao also found the net. The Blues will learn their opponent for the sixth round in Monday's draw.

After the match, Rosenior praised his players' professionalism. "What I'm really realizing quickly is that they are not only good players, but they are exceptional professionals," he said. "I think tonight we had a very professional performance against a very good team that aims to be promoted to the Premier League.

It was not an easy match. Part of our game was everything I wanted to see, but, before that, the values that the team upholds made me feel very happy as a coach."

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