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Topics: Bournemouth, Fulham, Bernd Leno, Football, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Bournemouth, Fulham, Bernd Leno, Football, Premier League
Bernd Leno was involved in an ugly incident with young ball boy during Fulham's Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth.
Fulham goalkeeper Leno was left frustrated with what he deemed to be time-wasting by the Bournemouth ball boys in the second half of their Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.
Justin Kluivert had put the home side in front during the first half after a brilliant assist from Alex Scott.
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Dominic Solanke then doubled Bournemouth's lead in the second half from the penalty spot.
Fulham were unable to create clear-cut chances in the second period as they looked to find a route back into the match.
And those frustrations boiled over when Leno pushed a young ball boy while attempting to retrieve the ball for a goal kick.
After asking for it to be thrown towards him, Leno then grabbed the ball off the youngster and pushed him in the chest - prompting an angry reaction from the Bournemouth supporters behind his goal.
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He was subsequently booed every time he touched the ball in the following few minutes.
Leno realised his mistake and was spotted apologising to the youngster and the home supporters.
The ball boy was then instructed to sit in the stands rather than by the side of the pitch to avoid any further incidents.
Referee Tim Robinson was later forced to warn the home side over time wasting by the home ball boys following protests from the Fulham players.
But it was the hosts that would go on to score again after that warning, Luis Sinisterra scoring a brilliant third to seal a 3-0 win for Andoni Iraola's side.
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Victory for Bournemouth moves them into the top half of the Premier League table.
They are now 10th, while Fulham are now 13th after three consecutive defeats.
It is not the first time a Premier League player has been involved in an incident with a ball boy.
Eden Hazard infamously kicked a youngster while attempting to retrieve the ball during a League Cup semi-final tie against Swansea in 2013.