Bernd Leno 'to avoid punishment' after clashing with ballboy in Fulham defeat to Bournemouth

Bernd Leno 'to avoid punishment' after clashing with ballboy in Fulham defeat to Bournemouth

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Bernd Leno sparks controversy with ballboy push

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 27/12/2023

- 12:13

The Germany international was condemned for his actions at the Vitality Stadium

Bernd Leno is reportedly set to avoid punishment after clashing with a ballboy during Fulham's Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The Cottagers were poor as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium.


Justin Kluivert put Bournemouth ahead in the 44th minute of the match.

And Dominic Solanke and Luis Sinisterra struck to ensure the Cherries picked up all three points.

Bernd Leno Fulham Bournemouth

Bernd Leno is set to avoid punishment after pushing a ballboy in Fulham's Premier League defeat to Bournemouth

GETTY

As Fulham's day went from bad to worse, Leno clashed with a ballboy.

The goalkeeper was visibly annoyed at the teenager for holding onto the ball and gave the youngster a push.

Fans ripped into Leno and called for the FA to act, with the scenes reminiscent of when Eden Hazard pushed a ballboy back in 2013.

According to the Daily Mail, however, Leno is poised to avoid any punishment.

The former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen star was already on a yellow at the time of the incident.

But with the referee opting against sending Leno off, that seems to be the end of the matter.

Fulham will be relieved by that outcome, especially with the west London side struggling at present.

They've lost their last three Premier League matches, with the defeat to Bournemouth coming after losses to Burnley and Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Marco Silva defended Leno after the defeat to Bournemouth - insisting his goalkeeper 'touched' a ballboy, instead of pushed.

“I spoke with Bernd about it," said the Portuguese.

"It’s clear he spoke to the boy after the moment.

"Top professional he is, he wanted to play quick but the ballboys were holding the ball.

“I don’t know who give them the instructions to hold it.

"He touched the ballboy, not pushed him - they are different things.

"I’m not English but I know the difference.

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Bernd Leno

Bernd Leno pushed a ballboy as Bournemouth hammered Fulham on Tuesday night

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"He touched him.

"The fourth official was clear the ball boys were delaying the game.

"We wanted to play quick. The ballboys did their job with instructions to delay the game.

"At that moment the referee decided to end the multi-ball.”

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, however, took issue with Silva's comments and said ballboys hadn't been ordered to slow the game down.

Fulham Bournemouth

Fulham were poor as they lost 3-0 to Bournemouth on Tuesday

GETTY

“I don’t want to make anything because I’ve not seen it repeated," he said.

"I don’t know what happened exactly but everyone has to be careful because they are boys who are trying to help everyone, not only Bournemouth, all parties involved.”

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