David Moyes apologises for ball boy incident

David Moyes apologised for kicking a ball at a ball boy after he was sent from the touchline in West Ham's acrimonious Europa League semi-final defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt.

West Ham's European dream faded and died as the red mist descended with both Aaron Cresswell and Moyes sent off in their 1-0 second-leg loss.

Cresswell's red card after 19 minutes, for pulling down Eintracht forward Jens Hauge, proved a turning point with the German side grabbing the only goal, and sealing a 3-1 aggregate win, just three minutes later.

The match ended in chaos with Moyes was sent from the touchline with 12 minutes remaining for angrily booting the ball back towards the ball boy who had retrieved it.

He said: "I'm disappointed but extremely proud of the players' performance, especially with 10 men.

"Many teams would have crumbled and lost by two or three but we kept having a go and tried to create some opportunities.

"I have to apologise for kicking the ball, but the ball boy left it short and it was nicely on the volley for me. But I apologised for it."

Moyes was critical of the Eintracht coaching staff for their reaction to the initial decision to show Cresswell a yellow card, before a VAR check condemned him to a second red card in three European appearances.

"I thought it wasn't great officiating tonight, but I think Aaron's given the referee a decision to make," added Moyes.

"I was more disappointed with the bench of Eintracht Frankfurt. You don't react in that way. Maybe that's what we need to do. We do it by Queensbury rules. And it comes back to haunt you."

The goal came from Cresswell's flank on the West Ham left, by then occupied by substitute Ben Johnson who had come on for the unlucky Manuel Lanzini.

The West Ham defence was pulled