Thorgan Hazard hands back Zulte Waregem captain's armband

Thorgan Hazard has handed back the captain's armband at Zulte Waregem after a row broke out over his appointment as skipper.

Hazard, who is on loan at the Belgium club from Chelsea, replaced veteran defender Davy de Fauw in the role.

Although De Fauw was happy to relinquish the role, the move sparked anger among the club's supporters, who believed that Chelsea requested the appointment.

The furor has caused Hazard to hand back the armband just 24 hours after it was passed to him, and Zulte Waregem has issued a statement in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

"The SV Zulte Waregem board seriously regrets the commotion which started after the captaincy change," Sky Sports News quotes the club as saying.

"The chairman, the delegated board member and the coach have done the maximum to keep Thorgan Hazard at Zulte Waregem.

"We ask everyone to support our team, especially Thorgan and Davy, massively today evening and on Wednesday against PSV, a game where still is much possible."

Hazard has made 30 appearances for the Belgian outfit since joining them last year, but is yet to make his senior debut for Chelsea.